Dubliner John Mulrooney checks his text messages after helping Darren Clarke win the Open in Sandwich last year. Now he’s trying to steer Alan Dunbar through his first major at Royal Lytham & St Annes.Amateur champion Alan Dunbar has a Major advantage this week - the caddie that helped Darren Clarke win the Open.

John Mulrooney in the locker room at Royal St George’s shortly after Darren Clarke’s Open victory.Darren Clarke has split with the caddie who helped him beak his major duck and lift the Open at Royal St George’s.

Darren Clarke recovered from a fit of “the madness” to forge a fantastic partnership with his Irish caddie and make his Claret Jug dreams come true.

The Ulsterman teamed up with Bray’s John Mulrooney by pure chance in Mallorca in May and immediately broke his three-year victory drought.

But the pair clashed during the final round Scottish Open at Castle Stuart nine days ago and almost gave each other mutual marching orders before Mulrooney, 42, told Clarke some home truths on the eve of the first round and they became a formidable force.