HE’S walked nervously down the final fairway of St George’s holding a two-shot lead in The Open, he’s driven and putted his way around Augusta National at The Masters – and he’s beaten Tiger Woods in the final of the World Golf Championship at La Costa Resort and Spa.

But for Darren Clarke there’s only one sporting venue which makes the hair stand up on the back of his neck.

A passionate Liverpool fan, the 43-year-old Ulsterman still recalls the first time he experienced the atmosphere inside Anfield on matchday.

“My first ever game, I was standing on the Kop and it was just amazing,” said Clarke. “I always remember the atmosphere. It was special from the word go.

“The whole occasion and the whole event, from the fans and their singing, to the quality of football on the pitch, it was brilliant. Anfield is up there with any sporting arena in the world.”

When Clarke stormed to a poignant victory at the Open Championship last July – a crown which he will seek to defend in three months time at Royal Lytham & St Anne’s – there wasn’t a dry eye in sight. But while he is in South Korea this week preparing to play in the Ballantine’s Championship, he will still have more than half an eye on events at Wembley Stadium on Saturday night.

Clarke’s affiliations are even more surprising when he reveals his upbringing in Northern Ireland.

“My old man was an Evertonian,” laughed Clarke. “There were many teams that you could end up supporting in County Tyrone, where I was from. Liverpool were one of the more popular ones but they weren’t the only ones.

“My dad was a Blue and it often happens that way – sons go the other way to their fathers. I think it’s probably to do with trying to wind them up at an early age. I think that’s what it was with me: I wanted to give him a bit of stick. It was definitely a good choice though.

“So I’ve supported Liverpool since I was eight. They’ve always been the club for me. They are my team and I’ll support them through thick and thin.”

Clarke started supporting the Reds when they were on the brink of winning their first European Cup in Rome and the side Bob Paisley inherited from Bill Shankly was perfectly poised to conquer Europe.

“We had a great team,” recalled Clarke. “I loved all the players. Kenny was great, Rushy was great. Hansen was class.

“I’d probably say one of my favourites was Alan Kennedy, the full-back. I’ll always remember the goals he scored in the European Cup finals in the early 80s.

“I’ve met quite a few of the players since then. At first I was a little star-struck but after time I got to know the likes of Kenny, Hansen and players from other sides, like Alan Shearer. And that was mainly through their love of golf.”

And how do they fare on the course?

“Hansen claims to be the best,” admitted Clarke. “Kenny, on the other hand, isn’t bad at all. He plays it very safe because he always wants to win. All the time. But then all the best sportsmen do.”

It was at Anfield, seven years ago, when the highlight of Clarke’s life as a Red came to fruition on one of the most passionate and captivating nights in the club’s history.

“A few years back, I remember watching the Chelsea game in the European Cup,” he said. “I was in the stadium that night and it made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

“From about 10 minutes before kick-off the atmosphere was electric. The pre-match build-up, the occasion was just something else altogether.”

“Three weeks later in Istanbul, we were 3-0 down at half-time and it was game over for me. I was deflated like every other Red. But the way the players came back and fought and the way Stevie Gerrard led by example, was just typical of the club.”

The highs have often come hand in hand with the lows for Clarke. As was the case on the night Liverpool won their fifth European Cup in Istanbul. He was in a hospital, caring for his late wife Heather.

She died on August 13, 2006.

Six weeks later, Clarke’s character and sheer resolve was manifest as he played a pivotal part for the side that clinched the Ryder Cup, producing some of his finest golf and winning all three of his matches.

This year he is out to defend the Open Championship against the likes of Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods at Lytham and St Annes, about an hour and a half drive up the North West coast from Liverpool.

“It will be great fun,” said Clarke. “The Open is the best. There’s nothing like it in the sport and I was very fortunate to win it last year. That was an unbelievable moment for me.

“It’s not far from Liverpool, but unfortunately for me, the lads will all be away, with it being in July. They’ll all be on holiday, there won’t be any matches for me to go and watch.”

The Championship will be preceded by four practice days from the 15 to 18 July, where visitors will have the chance to see golfing legends, like Clarke, in action before the contest gets under way between July 19-22.

Children go free to the event and to practice days which are an easier and more informal way to get up close and personal with the stars.

One such star, Rory McIlroy, boasts a certain off-course rivalry, albeit an affable one, with Clarke, which tends to take centre stage when the two compatriots meet on tour.

“There’s a fair bit of stick that flies round between the golfers,” said Clarke. “McIlroy is a big Manchester United fan. He’s always looking to put the boot in when it comes to banter. Hopefully I’ll be in a good position to give it back come May 5!

“Wherever I am around the world, I’m following Liverpool. I keep track of the website. All the guys over here have teams, all the guys on the tour. We watch games on our laptops but unfortunately, sometimes the golf gets in the way of me watching the Reds.”

While Clarke sets his sights firmly on retaining the Claret Jug in June, he had a rousing message of support for the Liverpool side who will take to the Wembley turf to face Chelsea on Saturday in the FA Cup final.

“Think about the atmosphere on that Wednesday night in 2005 against Chelsea; think about the support the lads got then,” said Clarke. “The team have been written off before, many times, but they’ve always come through with their pride intact.”

“As for the game, I think it will be a very tight match. Chelsea are starting to show a bit of form again but we’ve got a great chance. Best of luck to the lads.”

l If you’re interested in seeing Clarke in action at the Open Championship, tickets and a variety of packages are available. For more information or to purchase tickets – standard and hospitality – call 01334 460000 or email tickets@randa.org.