Darren Clarke has given himself the chance to go ‘Double Dutch’ this weekend after the defending champion shot a second-round 67 today to share the halfway lead with Swede Peter Hedblom at the KLM Open in Zandvoort.
Clarke led a strong Irish challenge, with six players in the top 20, including Peter Lawrie, who is just a shot off the lead.
Nobody has retained the title since American Bob Byman in 1978, but Clarke’s hopes are boosted by the fact that this is the same Kennemer course on which he won by four last year.
“It’s one of my favourite venues. It sets up well for me and it’s always nice to come back to a place where you’ve done well,” said the Ulsterman, who has not had a single top-10 finish since his victory 12 months ago.
After mixing three birdies with three bogeys on the front nine, Clarke, who like last year has his sons Tyrone and Conor with him, came home in 31 by picking up more strokes on the 10th, 12th and 15th.
Hedblom has not even had a top-20 finish this season, but he joined Clarke on eight under par with his second successive 66.
“When you’re struggling it’s nice to get away from everything,” said the 39-year-old. “I’ve just had a three-week break and for part of that I took my motor boat and stayed on an island near where I live.
“I’ve been playing for so long that you learn that you have to keep frustration away. Last year was my best season, so I know I have the game.”
Lawrie is joined by England’s Kenneth Ferrie, Welshman Bradley Dredge, Swede Oskar Henningsson and Australian Wade Ormsby on seven under.
The Dubliner was 10 under and clear leader with three to play, but hit a wild drive down the long seventh and lost it, then followed that bogey six with a double bogey on the 418-yard ninth.
For that he drove left again, had to chip out and three-putted from only 15 feet.
“I played lovely apart from two bad shots,” the 35-year-old said after his 68. “But I’m only one behind and can’t really complain.”
First round leaders Paul McGinley and Gary Orr both slipped back. McGinley had a 70 to remain six under and Orr’s 73 put him five behind.
Irish Open winner Shane Lowry (68) and Damien McGrane (67) are on the same mark as McGinley, while Gareth Maybin (68) is a shot further back on five under.
Johnathan Caldwell shot a one under 69 but still misses the cut by one shot on level par, while Gary Murphy failed to make up for poor opening rounds and miss the weekend action.
