From Paul Gallagher at the K-Club
Darren Clarke has lost any hope of retaining the Smurfit European Open title he won here at the K-Club 12 months ago after a disastrous run of bogeys on the front nine today.
Starting the day on level par many had expected the Tyroneman to come speedily out off the blocks and put immediate pressure on the leading groups behind. Instead, an opening par followed by six straight bogeys tells its own story.
Ironically it wasn’t the putter letting him down - the weak link over the first two days - it was more a case of being grinded down by every wayward shot he played. Clarke’s drive at the second was unlucky to end up on a hanging lie adjacent to the left hand bunker. His approach missed the green left and he failed to get up an down.
A six-iron to the 170yard third was the wrong club and Clarke’s ball found the bunker short of the green. The par five fourth should have been an opportunity to get back on track but it wasn’t to be. His fairway wood clattered into trees only to rest in a horrid lie. The 33-year-old tried to hack it onto the green but found another bunker short. Clearly despondent, he quickly splashed out of the sand, only to 20feet, and missed the par save.
Three more bogeys followed and at six-over Clarke’s attitude must be questioned. He is a man with boundless talent but also a temperament capable of ruinous ways, such as we have witnessed thus far today. Less than two hours ago it was fair to say Clarke was still in this tournament, now approaching the turn he has certainly played himself out of it.
Elsewhere there was better news for Welshman Ian Woosnam and American Fred Funk, both posted the low rounds of the day so far five-under 67’s. Woosnam’s round was flawless with five birdies and no dropped shots and it brought him back to two-under, the same as Funk.
Eamonn Darcy finished with a 73 to be four-over in all. The 49-year-old made steady progress until a triple bogey at the 17th but he battled back with a birdie at the last. Gary Murphy was four-over for his round with two holes to play.
John Dwyer also struggled in the group in front of Clarke but a two at the eighth eased some of the problems as the Ashbourne pro reached the turn in three-over 38. Padraig Harrington opened with two pars as the crowds began to swell on the other side of the ropes.