Clarke hoping Bethpage is just what the doctor ordered
There was a time when Darren Clarke was regarded as an even hotter property than his compatriot and for many years was the only other player in the world apart from Tiger Woods to capture two World Golf Championships, the 2000 World Match Play Championship and the NEC at Akron, Ohio in 2003. In those days, he was a regular in the top 10 in the rankings.
However, personal tragedy struck in the mid 90s as his wife, Heather, battled breast cancer before succumbing to the illness in August, 2006. Even though he played a heroic part in Europe’s Ryder Cup success at The K Club a few weeks later, his game was never the same for the next 18 months or so. But the class was always there and in 2008 he hit back with wins in the Asian Open and the Dutch Open and rocketed from a low of 225th to 61st in the rankings.
At that point, it seemed breaking into the all-important top 50 would be only a matter of time. But it never happened. He worked as hard as ever but the desired results weren’t forthcoming. Instead, in late 2008 and all this year, it was either a case of missed cuts or lowly finishes as he fell out of the world top 100 (101st), is 119th in the Race to Dubai European Tour order of merit with a best finish of tied 14th in the 3 Irish Open. Moreover, he is priced at 225/1 to win this week’s US Open.
We met up yesterday on the practice putting green. Darren was deep in conversation with his new caddie Eddie Gardeno, the man who guided Angel Cabrera to the US Open at Oakmont in 2007 and Dr Bob Rotella, the sports psychologist credited by Harrington for playing a major role in his successes over the past many years.
Rotella and Clarke have also worked together for some time but the results haven’t been anything like as productive and that, too, can’t sit easily with the Ulster man. Only a couple of weeks ago, he pronounced the need for “a pint full of confidence” and that’s where Dr Bob has a massive role to play.
“I’ve been struggling with my short game and the stats back that up,” he groaned. “I’m not holing anything to save, I’m not holing anything to make birdies, and that makes it tough to get on a run. I’m very happy with my game but I just can’t score. I like this course, I liked it when I was here last time even though it was tough.
“I’ve never worked so hard and indeed I have probably overstepped the limit. I’m probably practising too much, working all the time and that’s one of the things I’m talking to Bob about. I’m probably back into the mentality of being hard on myself because I’m working so hard and not getting any results, that’s very frustrating.”
Many people, quite understandably, may find it difficult to understand why a 40-year-old veteran pro who has seen life on both side of the success/failure ratio should feel the need to turn to someone like Bob Rotella. Surely, you already are aware of anything he can tell you?
“He tells me to just go and play and the results will happen,” he replies. “He says I’m forcing it too much. We’ve known each other for a very long time but because I want to play so well, I’m pushing myself into a corner all the time. I know I don’t need a Bob Rotella to tell me that and I should know better now that I’m 40. I suppose it’s because I want it so much.”
Changing tack, Darren turned to the way he has prepared for the massive test awaiting him this week.
“I spent the weekend at the best course in the world, Pine Valley,” he glowed. “I’d been there lots of times before and I love it. I kept a score. I shot 67 on Saturday off the very back tees and 72 yesterday. It’s an awesome course. There’s no place like it anywhere.
“It’s as tough as they come, the ultimate test without being stupid, and good preparation for this.”
And what are his hopes for the US Open, a tournament that has not been good to him over the years? He has a best finish of 10th at Pebble Beach in 2000 and tied 23rd at Bathpage in 2002 after rounds of 74, 74, 72 and 71.
“My tee to green game is exactly where I’d want it to be for I have no qualms at how I’m hitting the ball,” he insists. “My chipping and putting are good but I’m just not scoring. If I was playing crap, I would tell you I was playing crap. I know my scores would suggest that but far from it. I’m just getting frustrated and dropping another shot on top of another shot. Hopefully, I’ll shoot a good score and then I’ll be off.
“The thing I remember about this course from 2002 was standing on the 10th tee, our first, at 7.20am on Thursday morning. On the tee, Tiger Woods, flushed it 30 yards on to the fairway. On the tee, Darren Clarke, pretty solid, 20 yards on the fairway. On the tee, Chris DiMarco, flushed it, 20 yards short of the fairway in long rough. It was just brutal and it’s good to know that’s one of the changes they’ve made for the better. The scoring could be better this week because of that and the rain. The ball isn’t going to chase through doglegs into rough. Greens will be softer. The greens are sloped and fast and that means you’re going to spin the ball all over the place. But it’s the US Open and that’s the way it is.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
