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Darren Clarke at the 2011 Irish Open in Killarney ©INPHO/Cathal Noonan
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Lean and mean: Darren Clarke 'raring to go' for 2012

The Open Champion has said “enough is enough” and made some lifestyle changes ahead of his first event of the season.

FAR FROM PILING on the pounds over the winter break, Darren Clarke has been shedding them.

Since winning the Open Championship last July Clarke’s form has been shaky at best, but his new year’s resolution is paying dividend. In the latest blog on his own darrenclarke.com, Clarke tells of his decision to enlist the help of fitness trainer, Jonny Bloomfield:

“My golf career has been extended somewhat by winning the Open Championship and I just thought that enough is enough and it was time to get myself into better shape.”

Clarke added that part of his current regime has seen the thing which dominated the aftermath of his first major win, the dreaded drink, being purged from his system:

“My alcohol consumption is taking a massive dint…..currently down to zero! However, no pain, no gain and I’m very excited about the route that we’re going down  – it’s a long road but I will give it my best shot.” Said Clarke, adding that his Christmas break was, “enjoyed very much and now it’s back to the grindstone and I’m raring to go.”

Clarke wrote his blog entry -titled “Lean mean fighting machine” – in Dubai where he was getting in some warm weather practice. Tomorrow he will tee off his 2012 officially at the Volvo Golf Champions event in South Africa.

Fellow Irishmen Padraig Harrington and Michael Hoey will also be in the field. Rory McIlroy and Graham McDowell will not begin their 2012 campaign until 26 January when Clarke joins them at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

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