Clarke beaming after BMW Asian Open win

4/27/2008

Irish eyes were smiling once again for Darren Clarke when he claimed an emotional victory with a heroic final-hole birdie at the BMW Asian Open

The Ulsterman drained a 40 foot putt on the 18th hole to beat a gallant Robert-Jan Derksen of The Netherlands by one shot and win his first European Tour title in nearly five years at Tomson Shanghai Pudong Golf Club.
 
It marked a welcome return to the winners’ circle for Clarke, who has endured a difficult past few years following the death of his wife Heather through cancer in 2006 and a subsequent dip in form.
 
Clarke carded a final round of one over par 73 in tough conditions for an eight under par 280 aggregate to secure his 11th career victory on The European Tour and his first since the 2003 WGC – NEC Invitational.

England’s Robert Dinwiddie secured his highest finish since graduating from the Challenge Tour last season after a round of 74 put him in a share of third place alongside Italy’s Francesco Molinari and Chinese Taipei’s Lin Wen-tang, who holed a 25-foot birdie on the 18th to finish as the top Asian in the event sanctioned by The European Tour, Asian Tour and China Golf Association.

But they were mere bit players as a dramatic final afternoon unfolded in China. Clarke looked to have it won before dropping shots at the 16th and 17th put him level with the Dutchman playing the final hole.

Derksen’s second from the fairway bunker bounced over the back but he played a sublime chip for a tap-in par. But Clarke was not to be denied and rammed home a 40 foot putt to claim the title.

Leaderboard – Final:

1. Darren Clarke                    NIR  71 69 67 73 280 - 8
2. Robert-Jan Derksen           NED  70 69 69 73 281 - 7
3. Robert Dinwiddie                ENG  70 73 66 74 283 - 5
    Francesco Molinari              ITA  71 75 68 69 283 - 5
    Lin Wen-Tang                    TPE  71 71 69 72 283 - 5
6. Henrik Stenson                  SWE  68 76 72 68 284 - 4
7. John Bickerton                   ENG  71 75 69 70 285 - 3
    Martin Kaymer                   GER  72 72 74 67 285 - 3
9. Scott Hend                        AUS  69 74 71 72 286 - 2
    Peter Lawrie                       IRL  72 74 70 70 286 - 2

Source: European Tour