One partnering Fender to applaud century (7)

I believe the answer is:

clapton

'one partnering fender' is the definition.
(Eric Clapton and the fender guitar)

'applaud century' is the wordplay.
'applaud' becomes 'clap' ('clap' can be a synonym of 'applaud').
'century' becomes 'ton' (both can mean one hundred of something).
'clap'+'ton'='CLAPTON'

'to' is the link.

(Another definition for clapton that I've seen is " Eric -, British guitarist".)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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