In a move that had many golfing fans pleasantly surprised, Darren Clarke has taken the Open 2011 after some 20 prior attempts. The forty-two year old has become a sort of beacon of admiration as he has proven that perseverance can overcome any hurdle.
There was more than one statistical barrier standing in-between Clarke and success. It had already been over ten years since the last attempt at a major, and Clarke had fallen out of the top 100 ranking. The age difference between him and the competition was nothing to scoff at, either.
There had been no other golfer who had managed to win the Open after more than 15 starts. Clarke’s lifelong dream had been centered on the Open, though, and he kept trying even as the center stage shifted to younger and younger players.
The conditions of the tournament were less than desirable. As typically seen with the British Open, rain and wind plagued golfers from the moment they stepped on the green.
His defining moment was a well executed eagle putt at the seventh hole, but he was a steady force throughout the Open. In the end, he 
had an amazing three-shot win over the competing Americans.
Phil Michelson started out a strong lead in the major with a slew of birdies in the early Sunday hours, but his luck seemed to run out as he ventured further down the stretch. A consistent failure on his short made him an inconsequential threat to Clarke’s steady drive.
Johnson nipped at Clarke’s heels on the green. With two birdies at the back-nine, he was breathing down his neck with only a two shot deficit. Unfortunately, a wild out-of-bounds shot ended any chances he had at overtaking the older man.
It wasn’t just North Ireland who cheered Clarke on in that finale hour. His persistence had made him a popular figure across many countries and cultures. He was a golfer with a career that many considered past its expiration date struggling against men who were in their prime.
Even so, he was well loved by thousands of people. He drew a sort of empathy from viewers and from the gallery that is rare in the sport. He was by no means perfect, but he had an indomitable spirit that led him to show up at the Ryder Cup even after the recent death of his wife.
His success at the Open inspired a level of empathy among his fans. As they saw him succeed, they felt like they had overcome the odds and succeeded with him.
In the aftermath of his victory, it is speculated that Darren Clarke may end his golfing career on a high note. He is planning to move back to his home in Northern Ireland permanently after finally achieving a dream that many considered impossible.
Darren Clarke has had a lifetime worth of nudging the line between fulfillment and prospect. At the close of the Open, he finally stood at the end of a field with only eighteen holes between him and the crowning that would end a lifelong ambition.