Darren Clarke is hoping a new putter could bring about a change in fortunes on the greens as he makes his first Senior Major Championship title defence at The Senior Open Presented by Rolex.
The Northern Irishman added the Senior Open trophy to his 2011 Claret Jug success with a one-stroke victory over Pádraig Harrington at Gleneagles’ King’s Course last year.
Clarke arrives in Wales after missing the cut at The 151st Open with focus quickly switching to Europe’s only Senior Major Championship as Royal Porthcawl plays host for the third time.
Reflecting on his performance at Royal Liverpool last week, he was encouraged with how he struck the ball but believes it was his putting that prevented him from progressing through to the weekend.
“Didn't quite happen on the golf course,” he said. “Maybe I was trying a little too hard, and didn't make any putts.
“But I visited a few of the trucks on Saturday morning before I came down here, and stole quite a few putters from them, and hopefully I found one that might actually work this week.
“It did this morning, anyway, so we shall see. I want to go out there and enjoy it and try to get myself right up there in contention again.”
The 14-time DP World Tour winner became just the fourth player to win both the Senior Open and The Open, emulating Tom Watson, Bob Charles and Gary Player.
That was a long-held ambition ever since he became the Champion Golfer of the Year at Royal St George’s and he is intent on giving his all in a bid to become the first player to retain the Senior Open since Christy O’Connor Jnr in 2000.
“It would be huge,” the 54-year-old said.
“I'd dearly love to defend this week. When you walk into Royal Portrush, there's a display cap there up on the right-hand side and both my replica Claret Jug and replica Senior Claret Jug are sitting side by side.”
Another star-studded field featuring legends of the game is heading to Royal Porthcawl, six years after Bernhard Langer won for the second time at the renowned Welsh links.
For Clarke it will be his first time playing the course since playing in the European Amateur Team Championships for Ireland in 1988 so the challenge is one he was keen to familiarise himself with as soon as possible.
“I'm looking forward to it,” he said. “I drove down on Saturday after missing the cut up at Hoylake, then played Sunday, played yesterday, played today and the course is just absolutely brilliant.
“Conditions-wise, holes, everything, it's pristine.”
