One step at a time as Darren Clarke plots comeback

Darren Clarke is continuing his battle to blow back the years.

It is hard to believe that little over two years ago, he was hoisting the Claret Jug at Royal St George’s after winning his first Major.

He now languishes in 283rd position in the World Rankings.

But last Tuesday, surrounded by a large crop of the US Tour’s 20-somethings, I watched the 45-year-old go through every club in the bag on the varied pristine practice facilities at the Sea Island Golf Club in Georgia.

He knows time is marching on, but the genial Irishman laughed off the notion this is one last hurrah.

“That has never crossed my mind because you can play until you are 60 these days, as Tom Watson has proved,” said Clarke, as he prepared to play in the McGladrey Classic.

“I’m back out here on the US Tour for the first time since 2006 without any set goals.

“I’m just going to see how I play.

“Nor will I limit myself to stipulating how many tournaments I play in.

“I’m simply going to take it one step at a time.”

A light squall blew in from the Atlantic, along with a drizzle that sent the ‘young guns’ scampering to the shelter of the locker-room.

But Clarke stayed out on the practice range for SIX HOURS under the watchful eye of his coach, Seamus Duffy.

“Darren is really focused on getting his game really sharp again,” noted Duffy.

“And there is no doubt his determination will pay off.”

Clarke is back on the US Tour, taking advantage of his exemption gained by winning The Open.

Having houses in the Bahamas and West Palm Beach, Florida, doesn’t hurt either!

“The PGA tour is the biggest Tour in the world,” he continued.

“The practice facilities at the courses are first class and, today aside, the weather is virtually guaranteed to be perfect.”

“And coming over here is certainly a lot easier for me from a scheduling point of view.

“I’ve almost had enough of the long hauls all over Asia and that sort of stuff.”

But Clarke is quick to remind you his recent form is more akin to the Ulsterman of old!

“I felt it coming back in my last two tournaments,” he insisted.

“I tied for twelfth at St Andrews in the Dunhill, and had a runners-up spot in China, so my hard work is beginning to pay off.”

No matter how fit he is and he professes to feeling 100% thanks to a fitness regime playing two Tours has proved too much for many in the past.

Clarke dismisses the problems with a shrug.

“My first commitment is to the PGA Tour, and I have to get my tournaments in on it since I became a member again,” he admitted.

“I’ll play next week’s OHL Classic at Mayakoba in Mexico, then take December off to recharge my batteries.

“I’m looking forward to 2014. It will be like starting all over again.

“And you’re never too old!”