Fourth-placed Clarke ponders what might have been

DARREN Clarke scanned the scoreboard as he stood on the 18th green at The K-Club yesterday and it was only then it dawned on him that he could well have been in the shake-up for the Smurfit European Open title.

He eventually shot 73 for an even par aggregate of 288 that was worth a share of fourth place and a cheque for €160,172.

But for Clarke, it really was a case of what might have been. He began the final day seven behind Thomas Bjorn, the same as eventual winner Kenneth Ferrie, and when he dropped three shots in his opening two holes, victory was out of the question.

Further bogeys at the 5th and 6th, offset by a single birdie at the long 4th, saw Clarke to the turn in four over 39 and leaking a lot of oil.

However, there then followed a run of six straight pars before everything clicked into place. He took full advantage of the forward tee at the long 16th to reach the green with a drive and six iron.

Another sparkling approach, again with a six iron, finished eight feet away at the 17th and then came a big stroke of luck at the par five 18th.

“I hit a four iron in there that was destined for the lake until it hit a rock and stayed dry, I don’t know how it happened,” he laughed. “So I got another birdie and finished even par for the tournament and that’s not too bad for my first week back.”

Commenting on the course, Clarke said: “I hope they can’t make it any tougher for the Ryder Cup. I think it’s going to be very exciting for the spectators. It’s too tough to favour either side; there are going to be a lot of balls swimming.

“The 16th is a much better hole off the front tee. It gives the player a chance to go for the green if he wants to. Again, from the spectators’ point of view, it’s much better to watch people going for it in two as opposed to laying up. That’s especially the case in match-play and I understand we’re going to use that tee.”

Clarke also received a Waterford crystal trophy and €10,000 for his favourite charity courtesy of O2, then headed straight for Adare Manor and the JP McManus pro-am.

Damien McGrane and Gary Murphy also did very nicely to finish on one over par to tie for sixth with four others. They both picked up €83,206. McGrane started the day on one under par and performed with typical consistency, reeling off 14 pars, three bogeys and a single birdie at the 16th.

It would have been a whole lot better had his putter been in its usual working order, as he said: “You’re out there looking to hole 20-footers for birdies. That makes a difference and I’m not holing big putts or nice putts. I was stunned when I took three from less than five feet on the 18th on Saturday, but that’s golf.”

Murphy finished solidly yesterday for an even par 72, picking up birdies at three of the four par fives including the 16th, a hole that has caused him a lot of trouble over the years, and a two at the 14th.

“I’d have taken top ten at the start of the week so overall I’m happy,” he said. “It could have been better, but everyone has their own story.”

Graeme McDowell also joined the convoy headed for Adare Manor and he too was pleased enough with a closing 73 for two over that included an eagle at the treacherous 16th, where the tee had been moved forward yesterday to encourage the players to go for the green in two in spite of the existence of the River Liffey right in front. McDowell tied for 13th and picked up €50,039.