Major winners Darren Clarke and Rory McIlroy cap a glorious year with honours

Clarke received an OBE after defying the odds to win the Open at the age of 42 while the 22-year-old McIlroy was awarded an MBE six months after producing one of the sport’s great performances to triumph at the US Open.

The popular Clarke won a place in hearts around the world last summer as he clinched the most coveted prize in golf.

Few three-inch bogey putts are greeted quite as uproariously as the one which secured him the 140th Open Championship. Now, five months on, he has an OBE to go with the Claret Jug.

Clarke said: “It is a great honour and a fantastic way to end a great year. I am very proud for me and my family.”

Clarke’s distinguished career was supposedly in its twilight but he rolled back the years at Royal St George’s to capture his first major title in July. None could begrudge his success in what was his 20th attempt at the Open.

Clarke touched many when he performed heroically to help Europe win the Ryder Cup in Dublin in 2006, just weeks after the death of his wife Heather following a battle with breast cancer.

His down-to-earth manner, not to mention his fondness for a cigar and a pint, also made him a huge favourite with the public. His natural talent always suggested he had major titles in him but they seemed to have eluded him. That changed in 2011 as the weather played into his hands and his experience of links golf in difficult conditions came to the fore.

He held off the challenge of two Americans in four-time major champion Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson on the final day to prevail. He walked off with the Claret Jug to begin long and hard-earned celebrations.

Clarke added: “I have had a fantastic year and this just caps it off. It is a privilege to be recognised with an OBE. It is a lot to take in.

“I could not have envisaged the year I have had. Winning the Open was obviously a dream come true, and it was at the 20th attempt.

“I had chances before and at 42 thought that maybe it was just not to be.

“It was a life-changing moment really and in many ways my feet have not touched the floor since. And now this.

“It reflects everything I have achieved in the game which makes me feel very proud.” McIlroy claimed the second major of the year at Congressional by an astounding eight shots in a tournament record score of 16-under-par 268.

McIlroy said: “I am delighted to be named in the Queen’s New Year Honours list. It is quite humbling to be included in such a list of worthy recipients.

“Many people on the Honours list have made huge personal sacrifices and contributed significantly to society during their lives. I feel very fortunate to be in their company.”

McIlroy’s US Open win was all the more remarkable coming just two months after a demoralising final-round meltdown at the US Masters.

He had started the last day at Augusta with a four-stroke lead but shot 80 to finish in tied 15th.

Few doubted his talent but many feared he might never recover from the blow to his confidence. To his credit he put on a brave face, saying he would have many more opportunities to win majors.

He proved true to his word with his emphatic victory in Maryland. It was some statement of intent and a powerful endorsement of his ability.