Ken Brown

Irish Open trivia - Who is the caddie in the bow tie?

Who caddied for John O’Leary in the Irish Open in 1982? The bow tie is no longer popular with the caddies for some reason. There’s nothing like a trip down memory lane to whet your appetite for the Irish Open.

Clarke in the mood to light up a major

Darren Clarke faces a tough battle to win his first major. Picture by Phil Inglis/golffile.ieDarren Clarke knows that his mental strength will be tested to the limit when he takes a one-stroke lead into the final round of the Open.

The 42-year old Tyrone man put on a ball-striking clinic as he hit 16 greens in regulation in a one-under 69 to lead by the slimmest of margins from big hitting Dustin Johnson and by two from pal Thomas Bjorn and young gun Rickie Fowler.

He dreams of lifting the Claret Jug in his 20th Open appearance but knows that he must remain upbeat at all times or endure yet another major heartbreak.

Citing a quote from former Ryder Cup player Ken Brown, he said: “Brownie has been a friend of mine for a very long time, and he said to me before my first Ryder Cup in Valderrama in 1997, ‘Don’t let your golf game determine your attitude, let your attitude determine your golf game.’