Hopes of Darren Clarke continuing his recent good form on South African soil were dealt a blow today when the Dungannon man opened with a disappointing two over 73 in the Joburg Open.
The Ryder Cup hero had steered a steady ship to be level par for 15 holes at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club, but bogeys at the 16th and 18th left a sour taste at the end of the round.
Clarke finds himself some eight shots adrift of overnight leaders Mark Murless and Tyrone Ferreira after the South African pair carded impressive opening 65s.
Before Christmas Clarke opted to tee it up in the South African Airways Open at Pearl Valley where he went on to finish a creditable third and won €48,750, but he will need a significant improvement if he's to get into the mix again this week.
Dubliner Stephen Browne is best placed of the Irish contingent after a one-over 72 left him one ahead of Clarke and Ballyclare's Gareth Maybin, who also shot 73.
Michael Hoey, Maybin's playing partner when representing Ireland at the World Cup in China last November, carded an opening four over 75, while Athlone's Colm Moriarty shot 76.
