Darren Clarke reflects on the North's 'incredible journey' from The Troubles to hosting The Open

Clarke has had life-threatening first-hand experience of The Troubles.

Darren Clarke insists he had no hesitation in accepting an invite to hit the opening tee shot as he reflected on the “incredible journey” which has brought the Open Championship back to Northern Ireland after an absence of 68 years.

Clarke, who owns a house overlooking Royal Portrush, is scheduled to get play under way at 6.35am on Thursday alongside Amateur Championship winner James Sugrue from Cork and American Charley Hoffman.