 Clarke's next event is the Nedbank Challenge in December |
Darren Clarke retained his Taiheiyo Masters title in Japan with the help of an eagle at the final hole. The 37-year-old rolled in a 30-foot putt at the last for a 68 to end on 18 under, two strokes clear of Japan's Mitsuhiro Tateyama.
"That's the first time I've defended a title successfully," he said. "I look forward to trying to make it three in a row next year."
It was Clarke's first tournament victory in a troubled 2005.
The event was Clarke's first appearance since he pulled out of the Volvo Masters to return home to his wife Heather, who is battling cancer.
And the win was hailed by his good friend Tiger Woods, whose father has been suffering from cancer as well as having a heart attack.
"Darren is one of my best friends and it's good for him," said Woods, after finishing second in the HSBC Champions tournament in Shanghai.
"The things that he's had to deal with I feel so sorry for him. I can relate a little bit because of what happened to my father.
"To go through that with the person who's closest to you is so hard. I can't imagine the things Darren has to deal with."
MMIX
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