Darren Clarke became the oldest Open champion since 1967 on this day in 2011 when he won by three shots at Royal St George's aged 42.
The Northern Irishman shot an even-par 70 on the final day at Sandwich to hold off the challenges of American duo Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson, who both produced strong showings on the back nine.
Clarke kept his cool to finish five points off the bottom of the Kent division and claim his first major victory, having held the lead from day two.
Success at the Iberdrola Open two months ago, his first European Tour win in three years, had boosted hopes of a positive showing for the Portrush residents.
A strong opening round of 68 saw Clarke tied for sixth before another two-under par saw him take a share of the lead at the end of day two.
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With Luke Donald and Lee Westwood of England, who were the best in the world at the time, missing out on Graeme McDowell's national team, the veteran managed to climb the leaderboard with 69 points at the close of the third. day.
And a ven-par 70 was enough to earn Clarke a maiden major win with rivals Mickelson and Johnson unable to continue their fast play on the back nine.
It was an emotional victory and came five years after he lost his wife Heather to breast cancer, with their two sons watching at home across the Irish sea.
Clarke said: “I've been writing this speech for 20 years and it's far from hilly.
“This means a lot to me and my family and as you probably know there is someone who looks down on me again.”
It was the Irishman's third top-level win in 13 months after McDowell's 2010 US Open triumph and Rory McIlroy's victory at the 2011 event at Congress Country Club, Maryland last month.
Clarke's celebrations ran into the night with “lots of black stuff” enjoyed by the Ulsterman, who was the oldest champion since Roberto De Vicenzo won in 1967 at the age of 44.
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