Journalists were left out in the cold after being invited to cover an appearance by top golfer Darren Clarke.

But the Irish News proved that no comment need not mean no story, by running a nine-paragraph piece, with picture, on Clarke’s appearance at Dungannon Golf Club.

The paper told how the World Matchplay Champion was visiting his former club to officially open its new premises.

Journalists waiting for an interview with him were dumbfounded when he got out of his car, turned to them and said: “No media interviews. That’s not why I’m here today.”

Irish News reporter Anne McClean wrote: “The 31-year-old then walked swiftly into the clubhouse with the press left bewildered as to why they were there.”

She said it was not until a UTV reporter followed Clarke into the building that he finally agreed to do an interview, but only with UTV, leaving other reporters scrambling behind to hear titbits of what he thought of the new clubhouse and course.

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