By Rob Hodgetts BBC Sport

Clarke's last win was in June 2002 Clarke captures Ohio prize

Darren Clarke's storming victory in the WGC-NEC Invitational in Ohio was the result he had been threatening all season.

The 35-year-old has been the nearly man of the year after a series of close shaves.

The reinvigorated Ulsterman romped to leads in both the Masters and Volvo PGA before fading.

And from 20 events in Europe and America, Clarke has registered eight top 10 finishes.

But the sparkling talent that beat Tiger Woods in the final of the WGC-Accenture Match Play in 2000 was in danger of being overshadowed by lesser players who had the competitive instincts to grind out the wins.

His last victory was at the English Open in June last year, a solitary title which saw him slump to 22nd on the Order of Merit after third in 2001 and second in 2000.

The Dungannon-born player has averaged a win a year since he turned pro in 1990.

But a healthy bank balance from 11 titles belies the fact that the three-time Ryder Cup star has never won a major, although he was second in the Open in 1997 and third in 2001.

Sensing this, Clarke began 2003 with renewed vigour after heeding the urges of his manager Chubby Chandler and wife Heather to pay significantly more than mere lip service to the benefits of physical fitness.

He employed the services of Jordan Formula One team fitness trainer Barry Grinham and embarked on a new dietary regime, though the cigars remained an ever-present.

DARREN CLARKE PROFILE 1968: Born 14 August, Dungannon, Northern Ireland 1990: Wins Irish amateur championship. Turns pro 1993: Wins first European Tour event in Belgium 1997: Second in the Open at Troon. Wins Ryder Cup with Europe 1998: Second on European Order of Merit 1999: Plays in second Ryder Cup. Eighth on Order of Merit 2000: Beats Tiger Woods in WGC-Accenture Match Play. Second on Order of Merit 2002: Third Ryder Cup cap. Wins English Open. 22nd on Order of Merit 2003: WGC-NEC Invitational champion

"I'm a bit more serious about what I'm doing than for quite some time," Clarke said earlier this year.

Sixth in The Players Championship in March was followed by a first-round 66 to lead the Masters by three shots.

But with the fitness still not up to scratch, he slumped to a 76 after going straight back out following the completion of his rain-affected opening round.

He eventually finished the tournament back in a share of 28th place.

A similar fate befell Clarke at the Volvo PGA Championship at Wentworth in May.

Rounds of 66 and 69 saw him take control before a 71 and a 72 saw him slip back to tie for 14th.

Clarke maintained his game - with help from swing coach Butch Harmon and mental coach Bob Rotella - was in good shape apart from poor putting, forcing him to turn to putting guru Harold Swash.

Fifth place at the European Open and second at the Scottish Open had him moving in the right direction.

Despite encouraging signs, he disappointed in both the Open Championship and last week's USPGA, where he missed the cut.

But Clarke has always had the ability to shoot a low round - as two professional scores of 60 testify - if his game is on song.