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Clarke paired with Mickelson

Darren Clarke has extra reason to be psyched up heading into next week's US Open Championship to be played at the Olympic Golf…

Sat Jun 13 1998 - 01:00

Darren Clarke has extra reason to be psyched up heading into next week's US Open Championship to be played at the Olympic Golf Club in San Francisco.

Clarke learnt just after completing his second round in the Buick Classic in New York yesterday that he has been grouped with Americans Phil Mickelson and Jeff Maggert for the opening two rounds of this year's second major.

It was Mickelson who handed out a 2 and 1 defeat to the Irish player in last Septembers Ryder Cup singles encounter. "I'm going to be really psyched up for the Championship now," said Clarke after his level-par second round of 71 in the rain-interrupted New York event.

Padraig Harrington finds himself grouped with the Americans Howard Twitty and Frank Lickliter II, but the young Irish golfer will be forced to follow the star billing of Tiger Woods, Lee Westwood and Tom Watson.

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Colin Montgomerie has been drawn to play with in-form American David Duval and US Ryder Cup player Jim Furyk. Nick Faldo has been grouped with former US Open winners Tom Kite and Corey Pavin. Defending champion Ernie Els of South Africa, who pulled out after nine holes of the Buick Classic with a back injury, is grouped with British Open Champion Justin Leonard and reigning US Amateur title holder Mat Kuchar.

Clarke was fortunate to complete his second round in New York just moments before play was halted due to rain.

Rain has been falling steadily throughout the morning but by lunchtime the Westchester course could take no more. Clarke, with two birdies and two bogeys on his scorecard, remains at two over par after posting a two over par score on the opening day.

"I was really scrambling out there and my clubs were slipping everywhere," said Clarke, who said he used five towels in drying his clubs throughout the round.

Richard Coughlan, Ireland's only other competitor in the event following the withdrawal of Keith Nolan, had not begun his second round when play was halted.

The American Kevin Sutherland led the event at seven under par and had still to commence his second round when play was suspended.