Published Tuesday, 07 February 2012
Darren Clarke receives his Laureus World Comeback of the Year trophy (© Getty)
Clarke was awarded the comeback of the year award for winning the Open Championship at the age of 42, and compatriot McIlroy won the breakthrough of the year gong after lifting the US Open.
Elsewhere Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic added to his ever-growing trophy cabinet by winning the Laureus world sportsman of the year.
Djokovic enjoyed a stellar 2011, clinching the Australian Open, Wimbledon and US Open grand slam titles.
The Serbian world number one collected his latest gong at a ceremony which was attended by luminaries from the sporting world such as Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, former Ajax and Barcelona star Johan Cruyff, and five-time Olympic champion Sir Steve Redgrave.
Manchester United legend Sir Bobby Charlton was given the lifetime achievement award and 'Blade Runner' athlete Oscar Pistorius won the Laureus disability award after becoming the first amputee to win a track medal in a non-disabled World Championships - a silver in the 4x400metre relay.
Champions League winners Barcelona were named Laureus team of the year while Kenyan long-distance runner Vivian Cheruiyot took home the sportswoman of the year award.