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Clarke: Emotional journey

Darren Clarke's first European Tour title for five years was greeted with almost as much joy by the Golf Night team as by the man himself.

The Irishman sank a 30-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole to secure a one-shot victory over Dutchman Robert-Jan Derksen in the BMW Asian Open.

It was another step on what has been an emotional journey for Clarke since the death of his wife Heather in August 2006, and even Derksen looked genuinely pleased for his rival as the pair embraced in front of the Pudong clubhouse.

"It's the moment of the year so far, and perhaps the whole year," Mark Roe said.

"It's wonderful to see him back, and there was a moment there on the 18th green when you saw a champion come out.

"It's just so exciting for everybody in the world of golf to see that, and there'll be so many relieved people.

"I think that's the point in Darren's golfing life where he opened the door to the next stage of his career.

"It's been a very, very tough few years for him. He was a great champion and is a great champion - that's always been there inside him.

"He's had so much to deal with, and golf has just not been important. But now he'll have gained so much confidence.

"This was the final piece in the jigsaw. His golf has been close for a while, it was just mental belief missing. There are huge tournaments ahead - and I expect him to move up the world rankings and the Order of Merit.

"If he's even close (to Ryder Cup qualification), Nick Faldo will look at Darren."

The last word went to Dennis Pugh, who backed Roe's assertion that Clarke's game is on the up.

"We're saying a lot, but we can't say enough."

To hear Darren Clarke's coach Ewen Murray comment on his victory, click on the video link in the top right of the page.