DARREN CLARKE – Vice Captain
Age: 44
From: Northern Ireland
Though he was ranked in the World Top 10 for 43 weeks between 2000 and 2002, it was not until he won The Open Championship in 2011 that Clarke secured that elusive Major title. He has played in five consecutive European Ryder Cup teams (between 1997 and 2006), and was Vice Captain to Colin Montgomerie at Celtic Manor two years ago. In 2002, he set up the Darren Clarke Foundation to further the development of junior golf in Northern Ireland. Hailing from Dungannon, but now residing in Portrush, the home of Graeme McDowell, the pair’s recent Major successes led their compatriot – and fellow Major winner - Rory McIlroy to christen Northern Ireland the “golf capital of the world”. Clarke is a popular figure on the European Tour and the US PGA circuit, renowned for his love of The Black Stuff – aka Guinness – and cigars, and is a supporter of Liverpool FC.
From: Northern Ireland
Though he was ranked in the World Top 10 for 43 weeks between 2000 and 2002, it was not until he won The Open Championship in 2011 that Clarke secured that elusive Major title. He has played in five consecutive European Ryder Cup teams (between 1997 and 2006), and was Vice Captain to Colin Montgomerie at Celtic Manor two years ago. In 2002, he set up the Darren Clarke Foundation to further the development of junior golf in Northern Ireland. Hailing from Dungannon, but now residing in Portrush, the home of Graeme McDowell, the pair’s recent Major successes led their compatriot – and fellow Major winner - Rory McIlroy to christen Northern Ireland the “golf capital of the world”. Clarke is a popular figure on the European Tour and the US PGA circuit, renowned for his love of The Black Stuff – aka Guinness – and cigars, and is a supporter of Liverpool FC.
