Mullingar toast heroes, past and present

Major champions Darren Clarke, Pádraig Harrington and Rory McIlroy were fine-tuning their British Open preparations yesterday and so missed out on a special day at Mullingar Golf Club.

The illustrious trio are amongst the winners of the club’s famous Scratch Trophy, and many other former victors gathered in this corner of Westmeath yesterday for a Champions’ Day of golf and memories to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the competition.

Clarke won the event in 1989 with Harrington claiming honours five years later and McIlroy in 2006.