HE was hailed as a hero in 2006 after securing victory for Europe in the Ryder Cup just weeks after losing his wife to cancer.

But Northern Irishman Darren Clarke enjoyed the biggest victory of his career last night when the British Open champion finally lifted the Claret Jug after 19 failed attempts.

The 42-year-old golfer finished five under par after battling rain and 35mph winds at Royal St George’s in Kent, holding on to the lead he had taken on Saturday to fire a final-round 70 to see off Americans Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson.

Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn ended on one under after a 71.

It was the 19th time Clarke had made the cut to compete for the coveted British Open trophy, but shaky form in recent years meant he did not enter the competition as a favourite.

Collecting his prize, Clarke spoke movingly of his late wife Heather, who lost her battle against breast cancer five years ago, aged 39, after being diagnosed with the condition for a second time.

Wiping away a tear, he said: “This means a lot to me and my family and, as you may know, there is someone up there looking down on me as well.”

Clarke briefly dated one of Heather’s friends shortly after his death, but is now engaged to former Miss Northern Ireland, Alison Campbell.

Clarke also paid tribute to his long-time manager, Andrew “Chubby” Chandler, who welled up when the champion thanked him for his “support and dedication”, and joked that he would be celebrating his success with a few pints of Guinness.

He said: “I’ve been writing this speech for 20 years now and it’s been a long bumpy road.

“ I’ve had good and bad things happen to me on the way.

“Sometimes I was good, sometimes I was bad but I have had so much support from everyone. There might be lots of Irish black stuff in this trophy this evening as I’m fond of a beverage from time to time.”

The win will see the world number 111 collect a bumper payout.

Not only will he be cashing in a prize-money cheque of £900,000 but he will also pocket a £2 million bonus from Sports Direct boss and Newcastle United owner, Mike Ashley.

The cash is part of a deal struck six years ago between Ashley and Chandler, and conditional on Clarke winning one of golf’s four major tournaments, including the British Open.

It is the second time in a week the Ashley’s sporting goods empire has made the headlines, after it was revealed that the company’s above-target profits would see an average Sports Direct employee pocket a bonus of more than £40,000 next year.

Clarke’s victory comes just weeks after his fellow countryman, 22-year-old Rory McIlroy, became the youngest player to win the US Open in almost 80 years, and makes him the third Northern Irishman in 13 months to win one of golf’s signature events, after Graeme McDowell secured the US Open in 2010.

However, Clarke is the first from Northern Ireland to take the British Open title since Fred Daly won in 1947.

His victory was applauded by his fellow professionals, including absent former champion Tiger Woods, who described it as a “well-deserved win”.

Ian Poulter added that he felt Clarke’s victory would be “a very popular win”.

Clarke won the hearts of fans and fellow professionals when he returned for the 2006 Ryder Cup six weeks after Heather’s death, and then made the clinching shot in a European win.

Speaking of that Ryder Cup contest last week, Clarke said: “Nothing could be more difficult than that particular week.”

Last night bookmakers Ladbrokes slashed the odds of Clarke being named BBC Sports Personality of the Year to 5/4 from 100/1.

Countryman Rory McIlroy drifted to 5/4 from 1/2 having looked to have the award in the bag following his US Open win.