Darren Clarke was among a host of high-profile stars to miss the cut at the Australian Open after the second round was completed this morning. The cut fell at level par leaving 63 players to contest the final two rounds.

Clarke (five-over) joined defending champion Craig Parry, 2001 winner Stuart Appleby and John Daly in making a premature exit. Veteran Peter Senior and US PGA Tour regular Nathan Green were also among those to miss out.

With rain having suspended play yesterday, the second round was completed early this morning before the third round got underway.

And upon completion of the third round, New Zealand's David Smail leads by one after posting a two-under-par round of 70 in difficult conditions at Royal Sydney.

Smail sits a shot clear of Australian Andre Stolz, who scorched around the testing layout on his way to a six-under-par 66 to finish day three at 10-under.

Stolz was on course-record pace through the first 15 holes having taken the lead on the back of eight birdies, before blemishes at the 15th and 16th saw him settle for outright second heading into day four.

Ewan Porter overcame the strengthening winds to sign for a level-par 72 and sits in a share of third place alongside second-round leader Stephen Dartnall, who battled to a three-over 75 to also trail the leader by three shots.