Clarke joins Euro ‘500’ club
Clarke isn’t the first Irishman to achieve the honour with Eamonn Darcy (610), Des Smyth (594) and Paul McGinley (545) all members of the exclusive group.
Clarke made his European Tour debut as a then amateur in the 1990 Carroll’s Irish Open at Portmarnock which was won by Spain’s Jose Maria Olazabal.
The then 21-year old Clarke qualified by defeating Pádraig Harrington in the Irish Amateur Close final at Baltray.
Clarke recalled: “I was an amateur back then and all I can remember about the week was playing alongside Sam Torrance and DJ Russell for the first two rounds, and they’ve now come to be lifelong friends. I made the cut, so I was pretty pleased with myself.”
When it was mentioned to me the other day this is my 500th event I couldn’t remember if I’ve played 300, 400 or 600. It’s nice to be honoured but then it also just shows I’m old.”
In contrast, fellow Irishman Shane Lowry will tee up in his 125th Tour event looking to play all four rounds after missing the cut last week in Abu Dhabi.
“It wasn’t in the script last week missing the cut and it’s never in the script when you don’t play four rounds but then I didn’t play great and didn’t deserve to play the four days.
“However, I had a decent weekend’s practice and had a game at The Els Club, and then played nine holes here yesterday, so we’ll see how it goes.
“I was probably more rusty last week in Abu Dhabi than I thought I was given I had practiced hard the week before in Dubai.
“But it’s just not the same when you’re coming off having a two month break and it’s hard to get back to where you were at the end of the previous season.”
Those who competed last week in the UAE capital have found a lot more user-friendly Doha Golf Club course and no fear of being too ‘dangerous’ as Sergio Garcia labelled the Abu Dhabi venue.
“Last week was a pretty hard course to start a New Year as it was very penal if you weren’t playing well, and then if you were driving the ball well and finding the fairways it’s a pretty easy golf course,” said Lowry.
Clarke, Lowry and McGinley are among eight Irish in the 126-player field headed by World No. 3 and reigning European No. 1 Henrik Stenson.
