Became the first Ryder Cup Captain from Northern Ireland when he led the European team at Hazeltine National in 2016. Is widely regarded as a legend of the biennial contest, having been on the winning side four times as a player and twice as a vice-captain.

The finest moment of his distinguished career came when he triumphed at The 140th Open Championship in 2011. Clarke finished three strokes ahead of Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson at Royal St George’s.

Career records include: The first European Tour player to shoot 60 twice (1992 European Monte Carlo Open and 1999 Smurfit European Open); First player to win the English Open three times (1999, 2000, 2002); Second player after Tiger Woods to win more than one World Golf Championships trophy.

Was made an Honorary Member of the European Tour in 2011, the same year he was awarded an OBE.

Is a three-time winner on the PGA TOUR Champions circuit, with two of those victories coming in 2021.

Dedicated to charity work, particularly through the Darren Clarke Foundation which helps to develop junior golf in Ireland and raises money for Breast Cancer Awareness, a cause which is very close to his heart having lost his first wife Heather to breast cancer in 2006.