Pro Golfer a Fitness Freak

Golf pro Darren Clarke recently revived his career with a healthy diet and fitness training. Now he's one of the leaders at the PGA Championship...

He used to be one of the generational holdouts, a cigar-smoking, beer-swilling party man who loved his late nights almost as much as he hated his early mornings. But for Darren Clarke, it became a simple proposition. If he couldn't beat his fitness-minded fellow professionals, he pretty much had to join them.

"Two years ago, I don't know whether I could have done this," said Clarke yesterday after shooting a sizzling 65 to grab the first-round lead at the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits layout.

"Probably not, in fact. It's a hard walking course."

Clarke has lost 40 lb. since he gave in to the fitness craze 17 months ago. Now, when his opponents pass him on the way to the gym at the crack of dawn, he's not coming in from a night of carousing. He's been fighting the flab with his trainers.

"I'll tell you if (the self-denial) has paid off at the end of this week," he said.

Read more: CalgarySun.com