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| Darren Clarke kisses the Claret Jug - Andrew Redington, Getty Images |
The Claret Jug could not have been won by a more amiable and likeable golfer on Sunday at Royal St. George's.
No one else but Darren Clarke would include in his acceptance speech a forewarning to Open Championship tournament officials that the "Irish black stuff" would be poured from the historic trophy soon after.
Not only was this Northern Irishman deserving of winning the Open, but considering how much he has been through in his personal life, the ending was fitting. It seems that from a fan's perspective, he is considered the 'people's champion' and the 'working man's man'.
As he strode down the fairways at Royal St. George's with cigarette in hand at various times, he might as well have been carrying a lunch pail in his hand instead of a golf club. He looked content, yet focused. He showed up to work and was ready to grind it out.
That is what he did.
By the end of it all, he had played the final round of this major championship as he should have - maintaining the lead and not making any costly mistakes.
Clarke captured the essence of the sport. As many golfers do after playing a round of golf on Sunday, he was ready to have a beer, specifically a Guinness - the Irish dark stuff. However, on this day, the beverage will go down tasting even better than it ever has.
Cheers and congratulations to a great 2011 Open Champion who will represent and share his win with all around him.
If only a trophy could speak about the adventures it has been on and those it will most certainly encounter while in Clarke's possession.
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