Mr_T
Challenge Tour Pro
I'm beginning to wonder if Darren clarkes playing days are coming to and end, he hasn't been able to put a good round together since his open win, he's already 7 over at Dubai... Maybe the commitments just not there now?
Darren Clarke- a finished man?
- Thread starter Mr_T
- Start date
AmandaJR
Money List Winner
I did wonder when he won The Open if he would be the sort to go for more or sit back and say "job well done" and therefore lose the drive to practice hard etc...
Imurg
The Grinder Of Pars (Semi Crocked)
I think he's struggling to find a focus.
He's proved himself by winning the Open, he's got little left to motivate him.
If he's going to continue playing then he needs to find that focus - just turning up to finish low down the order isn't going to help him.
I hope he does find the motivation to continue but wouldn't be surprised if he can't.
He's proved himself by winning the Open, he's got little left to motivate him.
If he's going to continue playing then he needs to find that focus - just turning up to finish low down the order isn't going to help him.
I hope he does find the motivation to continue but wouldn't be surprised if he can't.
Mr_T
Challenge Tour Pro
That's pretty much what I thought, he said himself "I've reached the top, what now?" or something along those lines anyway, I actually can't remember a time when I've seen him under par since the open, how long do you think he'll keep playing? I could easily see his defence of the open as his last tournament before he packs it in
richy
Journeyman Pro
The thing I dont understand is how you can lose focus after winning the open. Surely it would spur you on to succeed more. It's not like he he's the best player in the world and on top of his game playing the best golf of his career.
As far as having nothing else to prove, surely he would want to prove that it wasnt a lucky 4 days at Royal St. Georges and that he is a quality golfer that deserves more majors.
As far as having nothing else to prove, surely he would want to prove that it wasnt a lucky 4 days at Royal St. Georges and that he is a quality golfer that deserves more majors.
Marko77
Q-School Graduate
He's got 5 years of Majors and WGCs to look forward to. That should be enough to keep him interested/motivated?
Mr_T
Challenge Tour Pro
Very good point, surely you would want to experience the pleasure of winning a major again, if the feeling is just the same as winning any other tournament then why is it such a sought after trophy? It must feel special so surely he wants that feeling again? That would be more than enough motivation for me
mc73
Club Champion
I think as open champion he is over committed with of the field engagements and can't focus as much on his game, I don't think he is finished at all but for him I'm sure July can't come quick enough for someone else to take over the mantle as open champ.
Imurg
The Grinder Of Pars (Semi Crocked)
Fair comment but he's been dreaming of this for 20+ years. With all that's happened to him in the last 10 years it would be very easy to just sit back and think " I've done it!".
For Darren, I suspect, the only thing in the World that is better than winning The Open is winning it again. I'm not saying that The Masters/USOpen/PGA are less worthy - even though they are - but for Dazza they wouldn't "top" The Open.
I also think he's realistic enough to understand that he's not really going to get many more shots at winning it again.
Maybe he needs to just go with the flow for a year and then knuckle down again....
He hasnt lost focus, he has realised a long time ago that golf is his career, his kids are his life.
He fits golf around family now, plus if you look at his stats this year, he hasnt played great going into either of the wins he enjoyed. Done man, definitely not.
He fits golf around family now, plus if you look at his stats this year, he hasnt played great going into either of the wins he enjoyed. Done man, definitely not.
chris661
Money List Winner
I am sure I read somewhere that he is practising more than ever know and enjoying because of his open win. Whether it will do him any good is a different matter, I suspect it won't.
Imurg
The Grinder Of Pars (Semi Crocked)
There's an echo in here in here in here in here.....
If he didn't care about playing why would he travel? He's not the first Major winner to find the things difficult after winning. Every tournament they turn up to they spends far longer in the media tent than most players. Seem to remember Graeme McDowell saying that although he enjoyed his year he was glad to see the back of all the media that went with it.
JustOne
Ryder Cup Winner
I agree. If I'd just won the Open I'd probably have a little down time too.... although I'd smile more than he does when I play.
Yerman
Journeyman Pro
Love the Guy but you cannot turn back the clock and the fags, Guinness and weight don't help you stay young. Seriously wish he'd look after himself better.
HomerJSimpson
Hall of Famer
I heard he's going to be working hard on his new game ready for 2012. He has already said the RC is high on his agenda so I expect him to come out firing after a family Christmas and some winter swing work. Definitely not a done man. I think he's too proud to ever just pitch up, chop it round for a couple of rounds and go home usually. I think post Open he's just had a hectic schedule and not had the time or inclination to do too much work on his game
Mary
Head Pro
David Howell mentioned in his commentary that, despite Clarke's image with the beer and ciggies, he is always working very hard on his game, and has actually been quite down at times about his performances since The Open.
Phil2511
Global Moderator
Devils advocate here, but even a broken clock is right twice a day, the weather conditions with that brutal wind at the Open would have been very difficult for most golfers even professionals, but for Darren thats a normal day up at Royal Portrush. Could it have just been that those conditions just happened to suit his game and what is also the strongest part of his game.
He was at my club last August doing his Darren Clarke Junior Academy and he was on our 10th and the kids asked him what was his favourite shot and he said hitting driver into the wind, or hitting any shot into the wind, he then proceeded to hit a drive which was easily into a 2 club wind and hit it 50 yards outside what any of our category 1 big hitters could do on their best day even with a bit of a trailing wind.
He called that his specialty shot.
Until he proves himself again at another big name event you cannot really call it one way or the other.
He is definitely a very very nice guy and was great with the kids and signed a good few TM items for the kids plus a few items that we could auction off for our club charity day and even better he also signed a mounted wedge with broken shaft that is our clubs Anger Management Trophy lol
He was at my club last August doing his Darren Clarke Junior Academy and he was on our 10th and the kids asked him what was his favourite shot and he said hitting driver into the wind, or hitting any shot into the wind, he then proceeded to hit a drive which was easily into a 2 club wind and hit it 50 yards outside what any of our category 1 big hitters could do on their best day even with a bit of a trailing wind.
He called that his specialty shot.
Until he proves himself again at another big name event you cannot really call it one way or the other.
He is definitely a very very nice guy and was great with the kids and signed a good few TM items for the kids plus a few items that we could auction off for our club charity day and even better he also signed a mounted wedge with broken shaft that is our clubs Anger Management Trophy lol
