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Darren Clarke celebrates with his fiancee Alison Campbell and the Claret Jug. Owen Humphreys/PA Wire/Press Association Images

Open champ parties all night - but refuses to fill famous old trophy

“I feel a bit funny about putting stuff in the Claret Jug that shouldn’t be in there,” says Open champion on the morning after the night before.

HE TOLD US he’s just a ‘normal guy’ and last night he proved it.

Darren Clarke has not yet been to bed having spent the night celebrating his memorable British Open victory at Sandwich.

“I’ve looked at the trophy all night and sort of semi figured out it’s mine,” said a bleary-eyed Clarke when he faced the press this morning.

I probably won’t get any sleep until tomorrow at some stage. You have to enjoy it when you can. I had quite a few pints and quite a few glasses of red wine and it all continued until about 30 minutes ago. It’s been a very good night.

Clarke is of course the third Major winner from the six counties in 13 months following victories from Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy. And US Open champion McIlroy was quick to pick up the phone again this morning.

The Holywood man tweeted this lunchtime:

But Clarke insisted that though he had a few celebratory drinks, nothing had been poured into the trophy.

“I’m a little bit of a traditionalist, he said. “I feel a bit funny about putting stuff in the Claret Jug that shouldn’t be in there. “There’s nothing in it as yet. That may not be the case as the week goes by.”

CNN golf correspondent Shane O’Donoghue told Sean O’Rourke on RTE’s News at One that he ‘was lucky enough to take a sup out of the Claret Jug’ himself last night however.

The six keys to Northern Ireland’s golfing success

The Twitter reaction to Clarke’s win>

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    Mute Brian Dunne
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    Aug 26th 2024, 1:01 PM

    Rip Sven. He always seemed like a gentleman.

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    Mute Derek O’Sullivan
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    Aug 26th 2024, 1:36 PM

    Rest in Peace.

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    Mute damien leen
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    Aug 26th 2024, 3:10 PM

    RIP

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    Mute Square
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    Aug 26th 2024, 5:38 PM

    Very sad rip

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