Darren Clarke and Rory McIlroy honoured by European Tour

Clarke won the Open earlier this month (GETTY IMAGES)

Darren Clarke and Rory McIlroy have both been made honorary life members of the European Tour after their incredible US Open-Open double this summer.

The pair were presented with their badges at the Irish Open in Killarney today by Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny - he was playing with McIlroy in the curtain-raising pro-am - and Tour chief executive George O'Grady.

Clarke won The Open earlier this month at his 20th attempt and at 43 is the oldest Claret Jug holder since 1967, while 22-year-old McIlroy last month became the youngest US Open champion since 1933 - and did it by a runaway eight-shot margin and with a record score.