![Darren Clarke - The Jovial Champ](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/6287/390190/5def667521721/Darren-Clarke.jpg)
Darren Clarke has enjoyed quite a career. His 21 Tour victories include three PGA Tour wins. Out of the five Ryder Cups he played in, he was on the winning side four times. Most notable of all his Ryder Cup performances came six weeks after the passing of his wife Heather who died of breast cancer in 2006, aged just 39.
Clarke was distraught but, at the request of Heather before she passed, he turned up at the K-Club as one of Ian Woosnam’s captain’s picks. He won all three of his matches as Europe recorded a thumping 18.5-9.5 victory. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
To the surprise of many, but not himself, he achieved individual legendary status when he claimed the 2011 Open at Royal St George's with a three-shot win over Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson.
He captained the European Ryder Cup team as they prepared to defend the trophy in Minneapolis in 2016. It wasn’t Darren’s happiest hour. With a team overloaded with rookies, Europe fell to Davis Love III’s team 17-11.
Now, having turned 50 last year, Clarke has joined the Champions Tour in America, teeing it up with the likes of Tom Watson, Loren Roberts, Vijay Singh, Tom Lehman, Jesper Parnevik, Lee Janzen, Freddy Couples, John Daly, and old European Tour pals Ian Woosnam, Bernhard Langer, Jose Maria Olazabal, Sandy Lyle, Miguel Angel Jimenez and his old foe Monty.
He is currently in 90th place with winnings just shy of $60,000 from the six events he has been eligible for since joining the Tour. Not a bad way to spend a so-called retirement.
GV: How is life on The Champions Tour?
This story is from the October - November 2019 edition of GOLF VACATIONS.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October - November 2019 edition of GOLF VACATIONS.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![Miguel Angel Jimenez - The Everlasting Mechanic](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6287/390190/5def685f25f99/crp_Miguel-Angel-Jimenez-The-Everlasting-Mechanic.jpg)
Miguel Angel Jimenez - The Everlasting Mechanic
If nothing else, Miguel Angel Jimenez has epitomised all that represents golf, both as a competitor and a lover of life. At 55, he takes his success from the main European Tour to now the PGA Champions Tour.
![Darren Clarke - The Jovial Champ](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6287/390190/5def667521721/crp_Darren-Clarke-The-Jovial-Champ.jpg)
Darren Clarke - The Jovial Champ
Reaching the age of ‘Champions’, the convivial Darren Clarke remains passionate about golf, and yes, Guinness stout.
Thailand's True Paradise - Chiang Mai
The northern city of Chiang Mai is Thailand's true paradise.
Czech Republic Is A Delightful Combination Of Pilsner, Golf And Spa
Pilsner, golf and spa makes a visit to the Czech Republic a delightful combination that can be experienced over and over again.
![Clinton Ang Shares Traditional Values, Future Growth And Golf](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6287/390190/5def55a24bdd7/crp_The-Cornerstone-Of-Life.jpg)
Clinton Ang Shares Traditional Values, Future Growth And Golf
Clinton Ang, current head of an 81-year-old family business, shares traditional values, future growth and golf.
![The Ten Best Golfers In Hollywood](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6287/390190/5def6ee4be901/crp_The-Ten-Best-Golfers-In-Hollywood.jpg)
The Ten Best Golfers In Hollywood
Hollywood glitz meets endless rolling fairways in the ultimate list of top celebrity golfers.
![Pairing Perfection](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6287/390190/5def6c6f4328c/crp_Pairing-Perfection.jpg)
Pairing Perfection
Diageo recently unveiled two incredibly rare and exceptional whiskies: Brora 40-year-old and Talisker 41-year-old - both under the brand’s Rare & Exceptional range.
![Rolex Oyster Perpetual Sea-Dweller](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6287/390190/5def54cd5e835/crp_Rolex-Oyster-Perpetual-Sea-Dweller.jpg)
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Sea-Dweller
Introducing the eternal watch of the deep sea.
![Professor S. Jayakumar Teeing Up Strong](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6287/390190/5def56e790dc1/crp_Professor-S-Jayakumar-Teeing-Up-Strong.jpg)
Professor S. Jayakumar Teeing Up Strong
His role in nation building cannot be over-estimated, yet Professor S. Jayakumar, former Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore has the benefit of golf to carry him through life in politics and now, simply a life well deserved.
Highland Fling
The recently opened Parahyangan Golf Course outside Bandung, West Java, sets a new standard for this popular region which is about three hours' drive from Jakarta.