U.S. SENIOR OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

July 4, 2026

Darren Clarke

Scioto Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. You've made the weekend at the U.S. Senior Open. In these conditions, how did you put a 64 together today?

DARREN CLARKE: I don't know. I played poorly. I hit the ball very poorly for the first two rounds. It was just grinding, and then sort of figured something out last night. Spine angle was tilting too much, using my hands too much, so got more on top of it and hit the ball a lot better.

Q. Ian Poulter said he had a great time with you the first couple of days. What is it like to be here at Scioto, so much great history here with Jack Nicklaus?

DARREN CLARKE: Yeah, the golf course this week has been unbelievable. It really has. The USGA has done a wonderful job in giving us the test they have. I wasn't old enough to play the last time we were here, so it's been my first trip here.

And there's a member here called Jim White, and he's also a member down in Abaco, and he gave us his house 30 seconds away. It's just been the most wonderful week. The golf course is just sensational.

Q. 3-under par now, six back heading into the final round right now. How do you approach the final round tomorrow?

DARREN CLARKE: Well, I think if you take a look up at the guys in front of me, they're all champions. They're all proper, proper players. I'm going to have to go even lower tomorrow again.

I'm just pleased that I hit the ball better than I have done the first two days. I played with, as you said, with Poults and Miguel, the European Tour revisited again for the first two rounds, and didn't hit it very well. But it's just nice to strike the ball better, give myself a few chances and shoot a good score.