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N. Ireland's Clarke Hangs on to Win British Open

Phil Mickelson had given chase

By the Associated Press

Posted Jul 17, 2011 12:17 PM CDT

(AP) – On another windy, wet and wild day at the British Open, Darren Clarke endured to win the British Open by three shots and give Northern Ireland another victory in one of golf's signature events. Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell have won the last two U.S. Opens. Now, it's the 42-year-old Clarke, who came into the week as an afterthought next to his homeland's rising stars at Royal St. George's.

Beginning the day five strokes behind Clarke, Phil Mickelson surged up the leaderboard with a brilliant start in hefty wind gusts. The lefthander made three birdies in the first six holes, pumping his fist as the ball kept dropping in the cup. Then he rolled in a 25-footer for eagle at the seventh, moving into a share of the lead. Clarke didn't falter when it mattered. Coming along four groups later in the final pairing, the Ulsterman rolled in a 20-foot eagle of his own at No. 7, reclaiming a two-stroke edge at 7 under. He would bogey Nos. 17 and 18, but with the tournament well in hand. Mickelson finished tied for second with Dustin Johnson.

Korea's KJ Choi hits a shot off the 5th tee during the final day of the British Open Golf Championship at Royal St George's golf course Sandwich, England, Sunday, July 17, 2011.
Korea's KJ Choi hits a shot off the 5th tee during the final day of the British Open Golf Championship at Royal St George's golf course Sandwich, England, Sunday, July 17, 2011.   (Tim Hales)
Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke watches his shot off the 18th tee during the third day of the British Open at Royal St George's golf course Sandwich, England, Saturday, July 16, 2011.
Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke watches his shot off the 18th tee during the third day of the British Open at Royal St George's golf course Sandwich, England, Saturday, July 16, 2011.   (Matt Dunham)
South Africa's Louis Oosthuizen looks at his club before playing a shot off the 5th tee during the final day of the British Open Golf Championship at Royal St George's golf course Sandwich, England, Sunday, July 17, 2011.
South Africa's Louis Oosthuizen looks at his club before playing a shot off the 5th tee during the final day of the British Open Golf Championship at Royal St George's golf course Sandwich, England, Sunday,...   (Peter Morrison)
England's Tom Lewis jumps to watch his shot on the 8th fairway during the final day of the British Open Golf Championship at Royal St George's golf course Sandwich, England, Sunday, July 17, 2011.
England's Tom Lewis jumps to watch his shot on the 8th fairway during the final day of the British Open Golf Championship at Royal St George's golf course Sandwich, England, Sunday, July 17, 2011.   (Jon Super)
Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke reacts after putting on the 2nd hole during the final day of the British Open Golf Championship at Royal St George's golf course Sandwich, England, Sunday, July 17, 2011.
Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke reacts after putting on the 2nd hole during the final day of the British Open Golf Championship at Royal St George's golf course Sandwich, England, Sunday, July 17, 2011....   (Peter Morrison)
Denmark's Thomas Bjorn hits a shot from the 3rd tee during the final day of the British Open Golf Championship at Royal St George's golf course Sandwich, England, Sunday, July 17, 2011.
Denmark's Thomas Bjorn hits a shot from the 3rd tee during the final day of the British Open Golf Championship at Royal St George's golf course Sandwich, England, Sunday, July 17, 2011.   (Matt Dunham)
Rickie Fowler of the U.S. looks down the 8th fairway during the third day of the British Open Golf Championship at Royal St George's golf course Sandwich, England, Saturday, July 16, 2011.
Rickie Fowler of the U.S. looks down the 8th fairway during the third day of the British Open Golf Championship at Royal St George's golf course Sandwich, England, Saturday, July 16, 2011.   (Jon Super)
Rickie Fowler of the U.S. watches his putt on the 18th green during the third day of the British Open Golf Championship at Royal St George's golf course Sandwich, England, Saturday, July 16, 2011.
Rickie Fowler of the U.S. watches his putt on the 18th green during the third day of the British Open Golf Championship at Royal St George's golf course Sandwich, England, Saturday, July 16, 2011.   (STR)
Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke reacts after putting a birdie on the 12th green during the third day of the British Open Golf Championship at Royal St George's golf course Sandwich, England, Saturday, July 16, 2011.
Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke reacts after putting a birdie on the 12th green during the third day of the British Open Golf Championship at Royal St George's golf course Sandwich, England, Saturday,...   (Matt Dunham)
Dustin Johnson of the US plays a shot off the 17th tee during the third day of the British Open Golf Championship at Royal St George's golf course Sandwich, England, Saturday, July 16, 2011.
Dustin Johnson of the US plays a shot off the 17th tee during the third day of the British Open Golf Championship at Royal St George's golf course Sandwich, England, Saturday, July 16, 2011.   (Tim Hales)
Phil Mickelson of the US watches his shot off the 16th tee during the third day of the British Open Golf Championship at Royal St George's golf course Sandwich, England, Saturday, July 16, 2011.
Phil Mickelson of the US watches his shot off the 16th tee during the third day of the British Open Golf Championship at Royal St George's golf course Sandwich, England, Saturday, July 16, 2011.   (Peter Morrison)
Local residents sit in their garden and watch the play on the 4th green during the final day of the British Open Golf Championship at Royal St George's golf course Sandwich, England, Sunday, July 17, 2011.
Local residents sit in their garden and watch the play on the 4th green during the final day of the British Open Golf Championship at Royal St George's golf course Sandwich, England, Sunday, July 17,...   (Matt Dunham)
Rickie Fowler of the U.S. watches his shot off the 2nd tee during the final day of the British Open Golf Championship at Royal St George's golf course Sandwich, England, Sunday, July 17, 2011.
Rickie Fowler of the U.S. watches his shot off the 2nd tee during the final day of the British Open Golf Championship at Royal St George's golf course Sandwich, England, Sunday, July 17, 2011.   (Matt Dunham)
Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke plays a shot on the 6th fairway during the final day of the British Open Golf Championship at Royal St George's golf course Sandwich, England, Sunday, July 17, 2011.
Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke plays a shot on the 6th fairway during the final day of the British Open Golf Championship at Royal St George's golf course Sandwich, England, Sunday, July 17, 2011.   (Peter Morrison)
England's Luke Donald signs autographs for fans as he walks to the 16th tee during a practice round ahead of the British Open Golf Championship at Royal St George's golf course in Sandwich, England, Tuesday, July 12, 2011.
England's Luke Donald signs autographs for fans as he walks to the 16th tee during a practice round ahead of the British Open Golf Championship at Royal St George's golf course in Sandwich, England, Tuesday,...   (Jon Super)
Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez reacts after putting on the 3rd green during the third day of the British Open Golf Championship at Royal St George's golf course Sandwich, England, Saturday, July 16, 2011.
Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez reacts after putting on the 3rd green during the third day of the British Open Golf Championship at Royal St George's golf course Sandwich, England, Saturday, July 16, 2011....   (Peter Morrison)
Dustin Johnson of the US walks down the 18th fairway during the third day of the British Open Golf Championship at Royal St George's golf course Sandwich, England, Saturday, July 16, 2011.
Dustin Johnson of the US walks down the 18th fairway during the third day of the British Open Golf Championship at Royal St George's golf course Sandwich, England, Saturday, July 16, 2011.   (Tim Hales)
Spain's Sergio Garcia putts on the 6th green during the final day of the British Open Golf Championship at Royal St George's golf course Sandwich, England, Sunday, July 17, 2011.
Spain's Sergio Garcia putts on the 6th green during the final day of the British Open Golf Championship at Royal St George's golf course Sandwich, England, Sunday, July 17, 2011.   (Matt Dunham)
Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy hits a shot off the 5th tee during the final day of the British Open Golf Championship at Royal St George's golf course Sandwich, England, Sunday, July 17, 2011.
Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy hits a shot off the 5th tee during the final day of the British Open Golf Championship at Royal St George's golf course Sandwich, England, Sunday, July 17, 2011.   (Matt Dunham)
Rickie Fowler of the U.S. reacts after missing a putt on the 3rd green during the final day of the British Open Golf Championship at Royal St George's golf course Sandwich, England, Sunday, July 17, 2011.
Rickie Fowler of the U.S. reacts after missing a putt on the 3rd green during the final day of the British Open Golf Championship at Royal St George's golf course Sandwich, England, Sunday, July 17, 2011....   (Matt Dunham)
Denmark's Thomas Bjorn reacts after putting on the 3rd green during the final day of the British Open Golf Championship at Royal St George's golf course Sandwich, England, Sunday, July 17, 2011.
Denmark's Thomas Bjorn reacts after putting on the 3rd green during the final day of the British Open Golf Championship at Royal St George's golf course Sandwich, England, Sunday, July 17, 2011.   (Matt Dunham)
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golf • Phil Mickelson • PGA • British Open (golf) • Darren Clarke

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