Teary-eyed Clarke hands over Open medal

Darren Clarke returned to his home course at Royal Portrush today - and handed his Open gold medal to the club.

Clarke said the medal would be displayed in a cabinet alongside the gold won by Fred Daly in 1947.

The 42-year-old, who stayed up all night after winning at Royal St George's on Sunday, said he was "out for the count for 10 hours" when his head finally hit the pillow last night.

The Northern Irishman's victory has been hailed all over the world and, asked to explain his popularity, he said: "I think people like me because I like a pint, I like a smoke and I do things you perhaps shouldn't do.

"I have as much fun as I can. I'm a bit different and nothing's going to change me. I think I said I might go to WeightWatchers but that's not going to happen . . . not this week, anyway."

Clarke had said he was unable to read the hundreds of text messages he received but added today: "I've seen them now and a lot of them brought tears to my eyes."