Monthly prize for Clarke

Newly-crowned Open champion Darren Clarke has been named the European Tour's golfer of the month for July.

Open champion wins European Tour's monthly award

Darren Clarke has been named the European Tour's golfer of the month for July following his victory at the Open Championship. Clarke won his first major at the age of 42 during the month at Royal St George's, triumphing by three shots from Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson. Clarke, who returned to the world's top 50 by becoming the oldest holder of the Claret Jug since Roberto de Vicenzo in 1967, said: "What a very nice way to end the best month of my career. "It's always good to win a golfer of the month award, but this one is special because I won it on the back of winning The Open. "Any award I get on the back of winning the Claret Jug will always be gratefully received." It is the first time Clarke has won the European Tour's monthly prize since 2003.