European Tour
Kennemer G & CC, Zandvoort, Netherlands
August 14-18, par 70, 6,626 yards

With his two sons at his side Darren Clarke secured his second win this season on the European Tour. Needing a couple of good weeks before Nick Faldo’s wild card picks for the Ryder Cup, Clarke went into the fourth round with a three shot lead over Henrik Stenson. His final round however wasn’t the start he would have been hoping for. A bogey at the par-5 second left him a shot back after a storming start of three straight birdies from the Swede. Things seemed a little shaky at times with trigger-happy photographers catching his attention. It was the dogged determination shown at the K-Club however that came through to see him home with a four shot lead over his fellow Ryder Cup hopeful Paul McGinley who finished with a final round 64. Clarke said regarding his chances at making the team “I don’t know if I have done enough, but I’m going to Gleneagles in better shape and hopefully he (Nick Faldo) will take notice.”

This week is the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles. The current occupant of the 10th European spot is Oliver Wilson, who hanging on by the skin of his teeth needs a good result. Fellow would-be Ryder Cup rookies Martin Kaymer, Ian Poulter, Ross Fisher and Nick Dougherty are all chomping at the bit to make their debut.


1 Darren Clarke (NIR) 68 64 66 66 264 €300,000
2 Paul McGinley (IRE) 69 68 67 64 268 €200,000
3 Henrik Stenson (SWE) 68 65 68 68 269 €112,680
T4 Lee Slattery (ENG) 70 69 67 65 271 €83,160
T4 Mark Warren (SCO) 72 64 67 68 271 €83,160
T6 Soren Hansen (DEN) 65 69 70 68 272 €58,500
T6 Ross McGowan (ENG) 69 64 72 67 272 €58,500
T8 Gregory Bourdy (FRA) 69 67 68 69 273 €38,610
T8 Michael Campbell (NZL) 68 66 69 70 273 €38,610
T8 Gary Orr (SCO) 68 67 71 67 273 €38,610
T8 Anthony Wall (ENG) 67 68 69 69 273 €38,610


Note: Player in bold signifies Titleist ball usage.