Ireland’’s Darren Clarke and England’’s Lee Westwood dominated The Compass Group English Open from 1998 to 2000, and they will return to the Marriott Forest of Arden on June 6-9 when Australia’’s Peter O’’Malley will be defending the title he won last year.
Clarke and Westwood, who have between them won 34 tournaments worldwide and more than 17,000,000 euro (£11,000,000) on The European Tour International Schedule alone, have enjoyed considerable success in The Compass Group English Open.
Westwood won the title in 1998 then Clarke followed his win in 1999 with a successful defence twelve months later at the Marriott Forest of Arden where he opened with rounds of 70-72-68 then shot a superb 65 to make up a six stroke deficit and win by one shot from New Zealand’’s Michael Campbell and England’’s Mark James with a 13 under par total of 275.
Indeed Clarke is no fewer than 54 under par for his 11 appearances in The Compass Group English Open with winnings of 556,088 euro (£373,581), and Westwood is 32 under par in eight appearances from which he has earned 268,275 euro (£181,312).
Westwood said: “My win in 1998 brings back good memories because it was not only my first European Tour win in Britain, but it also marked the first time that I had seen my name at the top of the Volvo Order of Merit which was lovely.”
Clarke said: “It’’s always nice to make a successful defence of a title and to do so in 2000 at The Compass Group English Open was very special because of the way it happened with a closing 65. I remember thinking before I teed off with Michael Campbell six shots ahead of me that I might need a 64 – and ten birdies, with four in succession from the 13th, took me very close to the target although in the end 65 was good enough.”
O’’Malley ended the domination by Clarke and Westwood last June when he shot a closing 66 for a 13 under par total of 275 – one ahead of France’’s Raphaël Jacquelin and two in front of Australia’’s Adam Scott.
Ticket prices for the 2002 Compass Group English Open are £15 per day with a £3 discount for advance bookings. Season tickets are available at £38 with special prices for OAPs and Youths. Juniors (under 18), accompanied by an adult, will be admitted free of charge. The Compass Group English Open ticket hotline number is 0870 1624653.
