Rory McIlroy or Darren Clarke - Who's Had A Better...

By Daniel P from Wish.co.uk

The year 2011 has, without a doubt, been Northern Ireland's best for golfing triumphs. Darren Clarke's success at the British Open and Rory Mcilroy's US Open victory were the highlights of this great year. Both are nominated for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2011.

Little wonder that the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Owen Paterson, has expressed his support for the region to host the Open: "As well as world-class golfers there are world-class golf courses in Northern Ireland and It would be great to see the Open played here" Over 150,000 people are members of golf clubs in Northern Ireland and anyone one of them could become the next Clarke or Mcilroy. But who's had the better year? That's the question we'll be answering in this article.

At the age of 43, Darren Clarke is the older of the two golfers. He's a golfing veteran, having started his career playing collegiate golf for Wake Forest University in the US and went professional in 1990.

Like Mcilroy, he was a promising young golfer set to make his mark. He finished joint 64th at the 1991 British Open and came second at the 1992 Honda Open. He won his first European Tour in 1993 and again in 1996.

In 2000, he defeated Tiger Woods at the World Golf Championship and won another European Tour in 2001. However, 2004 - 2007 proved to be his most difficult years; a combination of personal difficulties and a loss of form led to a slump in success.

2008 saw a resurgent Clarke winning the BMW Asian Open and coming second in the 2010 Joburg Open. 2011's British Open win was the icing on the cake for this golfer's long and distinguished career. He had tried to win it for over 20 years and it was a well deserved success.

Clarke proved that older golfers can still make their mark. You don't have to be a Mcilroy, Woods or Day. For that reason, it could be argued Clarke has had the better year.

The argument might have swung in favour of Clarke were it not for his young rival, Rory Mcilroy. Often compared to Tiger Woods, he turned professional at just 17. He made a name for himself with successes on the European circuit, winning at the Madrid Open and the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. Victories at the 2009 US Open and 2010 Quail Hollow Championship cemented his reputation further.

It was in 2011 that Mcilroy really made his mark. At 22, he was the youngest player to win the US Open since Tiger Woods' 1997 victory. His 268 aggregate score was the highest US Open record yet, beating records set by Jack Nicklaus, Lee Janzen, Tiger Woods and Jim Furyk.

Further success came with a win at the Shanghai Master's, taking home the $2 million prize and a fourth-place finish at the WGC Champions tournament.

This success at such a young age shows that Mcilroy has had the better year. More success is to come and he could eclipse Woods as the best golfer of his generation.

A Sports Personality of the Year win would help re-affirm his talent as one of the best golfers in the world.

Who has had the better year? Veteran Clarke or young gun Mcilroy?

Whilst Clarke's British Open win was the pinnacle of a long and distinguished career, Mcilroy's record beating US Open victory at the tender age of 22 makes it the better year for him in my opinion.

Martin Kaymer Happy To See Tiger Woods Return

USPGA champion Martin Kaymer is the latest player to announce his delight at seeing Tiger Woods return to Golf, the former World no1 has been out of the game since May 12 because of a Knee and Achilles tendon injury.

Woods is set to make his comeback at WGC-Bridgestone Invitational on the Firestone course in Akron, Ohio where he has won the title seven times.

Kaymer has expressed his delight at Woods return, he said; "I really hope that he will play well. We need him - we really need him,”

"Obviously what Rory did at the US Open was huge, but Tiger has been so successful over the years and it will be great if he comes back and shows us all or proves that he's the best player who ever played the game."
Tiger Woods himself suggest he hasn’t feel this great for years, "I'm excited - excited to compete, to play and hopefully win the golf tournament." He added.

Tiger has won 14 major titles, but he’s last major came 38 months ago and his last tournament win being 21 months ago.

The American will be keen to do well at WGC Bridgestone.

Rory McIlroy Wins US Open

Rory McIlroy has won this US Open, after dominating play since the first day's play claiming his maiden major title as the Northern Irish golfer won the tournament at Congressional Country Club.

McIlroy was engineering nothing short of a mass conversion, the galleries were watching a 22 year-old execute a strategy for dominating the US Open precisely how he wanted it.

Rory McIlroy wins the U.S. Open for first major, breaking tournament records.

McIlroy shot 2-under 69 Sunday to close the four days at Congressional at 16-under 268, shattering a U.S. Open scoring record held by four players, including Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.

He became only the third player in US Open history to fire all four rounds in the 60s and he was the youngest winner of the tournament since Bobby Jones in 1923.

Luke Donald hailed the play of Rory McIlroy after ending his own disappointing US Open with a two-under 69.

Tiger Woods Out Of US Open

Former World No1 Tiger Woods has been forced to pull out of the US Open at Congressional which is due to take place next week, Woods is still recovering after suffering a knee and Achilles tendon injuries which he suffered during the Masters in April and then Woods suffered a re-occurrence of the same injuries at the Players' Championship last month.

Tiger was forced to withdraw after playing nine holes at Sawgrass and the latest news will come a big blow for the former world no 1 after the serious nature of the injuries.

"Not playing in US Open. Very disappointed. Short-term frustration for long-term gain," he wrote on his Twitter site.

"I was hopeful that I could play, but if I did I risk further damage to my left leg.

"My knee and Achilles tendon are not fully healed. I hope to be ready for AT&T National (on June 30-July 3), the next two majors and the rest of the year.

"It's been a frustrating and difficult year, but I'm committed to my long-term health.

"I want to thank the fans for their encouragement and support. I am truly grateful and will be back playing when I can."

Andy Murray eases past Lukas Lacko

Andy Murray sailed through his opening match in the US Open with a 6-3 6-2 6-2 victory over Slovakian player Lukas Lacko, Murray is aiming to win his Grand Slam at Flushing Meadows and he got off to a great start seeing off the Slovakian. With temperatures soaring to 110 degrees Murray was made to work for his victory to secure his passage to the second round.

The Scotsman reached the final two years ago but only to fall at the last hurdle and Andy will need to be at his best if he is to go that one step further this time around.

Murray said, "I managed to get through in straight sets so I'm pleased, but it was a lot tougher than the score suggests," he said.

"Everyone in my box always tells me it's a lot tougher watching in the heat than playing but I'm not so sure. It was brutal conditions."