WATCH: Emotional Darren Clarke hits opening Open shot, makes birdie!
Darren Clarke gives the home fans something to cheer about on day one at Royal Portrush.
Darren Clarke carded a very respectable level-par 71 in front of his home fans on day one of The Open at Royal Portrush.
An emotional Clarke struck the very first shot of the tournament and duly went on to make a birdie...
.@DarrenClarke60 has the honour of hitting the first tee shot at The 148th Open and we are underway! #TheOpen
Follow our live commentary here https://t.co/V5gkRJCUkC pic.twitter.com/l2FQhKYTIA— The Open (@TheOpen) July 18, 2019
Birdie at the 1st! @DarrenClarke60 leads #TheOpen
Follow live blog https://t.co/V5gkRJCUkC pic.twitter.com/HhJBEiOXIm— The Open (@TheOpen) July 18, 2019
The former Open winner then birdied the third and fifth to move to 3-under, but soon slipped back into the pack on the back nine with an eventual round of 71.