Darren Clarke fears shorter hitters in for a long, gruelling challenge

Darren Clarke never had the patience to handle the US Open but even though he’ll be behind a microphone for FOX Sports this week the big Irishman is fascinated by the challenge that lies in store.

The 2011 Open champion has a horrific US Open record — 15 appearances, seven missed cuts and just one top 10. It’s no coincidence his share of 10th place came at a linksy Pinehurst No 2 in 1999 when he finished nine shots behind the late Payne Stewart.

For the rest, it was always the same old story — he’d drop shots early, lose patience, go on the attack and shoot something in the high 70s. This week’s US Open test at Erin Hills is similar to most in that the course is incredibly long and protected by 138 penal bunkers with acres of deep fescue rough waiting to gobble up errants shots.