‘Proud' Darren Clarke says Rory McIlroy will receive ‘unbelievable' reception at Royal Portrush
The pair first met on Rory's 10th birthday in 1999, Clarke very much an established name at the time and McIlroy starstruck. Since then, that young Northern Irishman has gone on to eclipse his role model, in terms of on course achievements and completed the Grand Slam of golf with his US Masters victory in April.
'I watched every shot,' Clarke told the Guardian. 'I couldn't take my eyes off it. Rory winning there was almost like watching my two boys, Tyrone and Conor, win. I was that emotional.
'I have known Rory for so long, I know his talent and his journey. To get over the line and do it, in true Rory fashion keeping us on the edge of our seats until the very end. It was destiny for Rory to join that exalted company.
'I was very proud just watching it. If I gave a 0.0001% help in his journey then brilliant but it was more pride, knowing him as I do. It isn't often you will watch something and feel like you are watching your own two boys play.'
Clarke recalls both the first meeting between the pair and all the hype around the young player at the time but says he doesn't want to claim any glory on the back of his friend's achievements.
'I am not saying this to be all 'I told you so' but you could see back then how good he was, how much potential he had,' said the 56-year-old.
'Now, potential and turning into the player that he has become are two different things but the talent he showed even from that age was just incredible. He was gifted, totally gifted.'
McIlroy's form took a well documented dip after that Masters triumph, the nature of which must have been an incredibly draining experience, both physically and mentally.
Having lifted his sole major, the Claret Jug, 14 years ago, Clarke will have some appreciation for how that might feel but he admits: 'I'm not in any shape or form comparing what I did with Rory but when you search and go for so long trying to achieve your goals, sometimes it is hard to have a reset afterwards.
'He has achieved what only five other people in the history of our game have, so it's no wonder there is a reset for him. The reception he will get at Portrush will be unbelievable.'
Rory McIlroy will tee off at 3.10pm on Thursday in search of a sixth major title and a second Open win, having succeeded in 2014 at Hoylake. He'll be partnered by Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Thomas.
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