It’s all in the mind, says Darren Clarke

The 42-year-old Clarke had the good fortune of riding out the storm that hit early starters on Saturday to enjoy the best of the conditions, and take a one stroke lead into the final round of the Open. AFP PHOTO / PETER MUHLY

SANDWICH – Darren Clarke is hoping that a positive mind-set can inspire him to realize his lifelong ambition of winning the British Open at Royal St George’s on Sunday.

The popular 42-year-old Ulsterman had the good fortune of riding out the storm that hit early starters on Saturday to enjoy the best of the conditions and take a one stroke lead into the final round.

Once again he smiled and joked throughout the 18 holes and generally seemed to be enjoying the moment.

That attitude he says is the result of another session with famed golf guru Bob Rotella.

“I can only try my best and do my best, and that’s what I was doing,” the Ryder Cup hero said.

“I hit really good putts. I hit a couple of really poor putts, as well, but overall I hit a lot of really good putts, and all you can do is read them as best you can, and there was a few misreads in there, and I did the best I could in each one,” he said.

“But I haven’t always been able to stay patient whenever that’s the case, but I have been able to do it this week. Spending time with Dr. Bob (Rotella) has sort of helped me get back into that mind frame.”

Many thought that Clarke had left his best chance of winning The Open at Royal Troon in 1997 only to allow Justin Leonard to steal it from under his nose.

He then finished tied for third behind another American, David Duval, four years later at Royal Lytham.

In recent years his form at The Open has been abysmal with two missed cuts a tie for 52nd and tie for 44th at St Andrews last year.

But in what is his 20th campaign to win the Major title that is nearest and dearest to him, Clarke insists he is as ready to win as he has ever been.

“The Open is the biggest and best tournament in the world. I’ve failed 19 times to lift the Claret Jug, and tomorrow I have an opportunity.

“But at the moment it’s just an opportunity because the weather is going to be very windy again tomorrow, and there’s a long way to go still in this championship.

“But I’m very pleased to be leading going into the last round.”

Since his Open near-misses, Clarke’s fortunes have waxed and waned, along with his weight, but he will be forever remembered for his heroic performances in the 2006 Ryder Cup at The K-Club outside Dublin shortly after the death from cancer of his wife Heather.

A barren spell over the last two years came to an end in May when he won the Iberdrola Open in Mallorca and a win on Sunday would make him the first British golfer to triumph at The Open since Scotland’s Paul Lawrie in 1999.

What is sure is that there will be a huge support turning out to try and cheer home one of the best-loved sportsmen in Britain.

“The support they’ve given me this week all week has been incredible,” Clarke said of the fans’ reactions.

“It’s been wonderful that they show much support and they were brilliant today.

“Even when I did keep giving myself opportunities and missing them, they were still roaring at me, “Come on, Darren. Come on, Darren,” which is just wonderful.

“There’s very few other tournaments where I would get that support, and it’s been wonderful to receive it from all the fans today. It’s been absolutely brilliant.”