Clarke triumphs in British Open golf

Darren Clarke won the 140th British Open at Royal St George's yesterday closing with a level par 70 for a five-under par total of 275.

The 42-year-old from Northern Ireland won by three strokes from Americans Dustin Johnson, who closed with a 72, and Phil Mickelson who had a 68.


Darren Clarke during the final day of the British Open in Sandwich. PIC/AFP

Thomas Bjorn of Denmark was a stroke further back after a 71.

It was Clarke's first win in a Major and it came in his 20th British Open campaign. It follows hard on the heels of fellow Ulsterman Rory McIlroy's win in the US Open last month.

Clarke led by one stroke overnight and he kept his nerve in cold, squally conditions as Mickelson and Johnson led the charge to overhaul him.