Sitting with the Claret Jug to his left side, Northern Ireland's forgotten man Darren Clarke basked in the glory of a British Open triumph that was celebrated by ordinary golfers the world over Sunday. While the four rounds of golf the 42-year-old produced to win his first major were beyond even the wildest dreams of the vast legions of Sunday morning hackers, most could relate to Clarke's relaxed approach to life. “I like to go to the pub, jump on Easy Jet, fly home, buy everybody a gift...I'm just a normal guy playing golf, having a bit of fun,” the robust Clarke, the oldest winner of the British Open since 1967 and one of the most popular, said. “Last night was very relaxed; over at (agent) Chubby (Chandler's) house again. Had very nice food and was very relaxed. Got up this morning ready to go.” Known for his love of expensive cigars, Dungannon native Clarke said Sunday's masterful three-stroke victory over Americans Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson might even interfere with a planned weight-loss program. “I'll probably get bored with it in a week and give up,” Clarke said. “I think this could probably be a bad week for me to try and start. I'm at Chubby's apartment, so I'm going eat as much as I want. I'm a normal bloke, aren't I, really?” Clarke's refreshing absence of airs and graces has made him a favorite with British golf fans down the years and he tugged on a nation's heart strings in 2006 when he starred in Europe's Ryder Cup victory over the United States shortly after his wife Heather died of breast cancer. She was in his thoughts as he walked down the 18th with cheers ringing in his ears Sunday. “In terms of what's going through my heart, there's obviously somebody who is watching down from up above there, and I know she'd be very proud of me,” Clarke, who has since got engaged to former Miss Northern Ireland Alison Campbell, said. “She'd probably be saying, I told you so. But I think she'd be more proud of my two boys and them at home watching more than anything else. It's been a long journey to get here. As I say, I'm 42 and I'm not getting any younger.” Indeed the former world top-tenner's career had been in decline and he arrived at Sandwich firmly in the shadow of compatriots Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy, winners of the last two US Opens. A natural player in windy, links conditions, though, Clarke eclipsed both men with rounds of 68, 68, 69 and 70 in some of the roughest weather seen at a British Open for many years. It was a masterful performance and after winning golf's most historic major at the 20th time of asking, Clarke says he has the hunger to challenge for more. __
