Darren Clarke on shooting a 75: ‘Maybe I should have spent more time in the Harbour Bar!’

On his round: “I played really nicely and practised and everything was good. Then today just didn’t quite have it. That was it. You’d think I’ve never played here before, some of the places I hit it to. That’s frustrating. I know you can’t hit it short of the third. I know you can’t hit it right on seven. I just hit it a few places that you cannot hit it here. I know better. Unfortunately, I just did. Then I couldn’t really borrow a putt to go with it. It was a tricky day, could have been worse. Just got to play better tomorrow.”
On being home: “It’s been brilliant. I’ve really enjoyed it. I’ve been down here practising a lot, hitting putts, doing everything. Coming in here shooting four-over, maybe I should have spent more time in the Harbour Bar than out here! It’s great. I love getting home. It’s one of those things. Unfortunately I’m so busy now over in the States it’s tough for me to get home as much as I want.”
On Pádraig hitting the opening tee shot: “He made three, didn’t he? I told him the other day, I made three (in 2019), so you should do the same. And he did. It’s one of those sorts of things where, if you haven’t played a Ryder Cup, you don’t understand what it’s all about until you do something like that. It’s a huge honour to hit the opening tee shot, especially for somebody like Pádraig in Ireland. As much as I told him he was going to feel nervous and feel a bit of pressure when he walked down the steps, he probably didn’t believe me, knowing Pádraig like I do. But I guess whenever he got there and got on the tee, oh, this is pretty big. So I’m glad to hear he was emotional about it.”
On the difference between 2019 and 2025: “It is bigger and better. The whole build-out for the event is bigger and better. It’s getting better every year, The Open Championship. It’s great to see. We had bad weather last time, looks like we’re going to have iffy weather again. The fans are still going to come and watch. From a personal point of view, they were really good to me. They were shouting and roaring at me and encouraging me even when I was struggling a bit on the back nine there. It’s great to see so many people out there. It’s just a shame we got some of this inclement weather. That’s links golf. That’s what happens.”Â