Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke struck the first shot of the Open Championship’s return to Royal Portrush.
Trying to keep his emotions in check, having been given a rousing applause on the first tee, Clarke hit the right side of the fairway off the tee.
The 148th Open is officially off and running! Well struck, @DarrenClarke60! #TheOpen pic.twitter.com/hD6W1iUHIK
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) July 18, 2019
Clarke was among the players instrumental in getting The Open to return to Portrush, which hadn’t hosted the championship since 1951. The 50-year-old captured the 2011 Open at Royal St. George’s.
Clarke birdied the hole for good measure to become the first official leader of the 148th Open Championship.
Birdie at the 1st! @DarrenClarke60 leads #TheOpen
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 18, 2019
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