What a difference a day makes. Yesterday Darren Clarke used words such as "horrific, fed-up, can't be bothered" to describe his golfing persona. Just 24 hours later he is right where he wants to be, one shot off the lead and primed to challenge on the final day of the Nissan Irish Open.
It was a disgruntled figure that walked off the course late last night. "I am deriving no pleasure whatsoever from playing golf at the moment, It is horrific," were the words of a man who was expending more energy trying to work out a way to see Munster lift the Heineken Cup in Cardiff. However, he went out and shot a flawless third round 67 to reach four under and be one shot off the lead held by his close friend Thomas Bjorn and English pair, Paul Casey and Anthony Wall.
Ironically, it was a lapse in concentration to watch the rugby action in the tented village across the river, adjacent to the 18th, which cost Clarke a course record equalling 66 - which Bjorn set yesterday - as he missed a closing birdie chance from one foot by hitting it too hard and lipping-out.
"Obviously I'm a little disappointed to have missed that short one at the last. I wasn't even thinking, I was more interested in looking at the big screen and watching the rugby than I was concentrating on my putt," said Clarke who was still upbeat after finding an edge on the range before today's round.
"I got a decent feeling going at the range this morning, Ewan Murray (Sky Sports commentator) gave me a suggestion and all of a sudden it worked. Did I think I was going to play well today, probably not. But I went out and gave myself an awful lot of chances by hitting it close to the flag for most of the day."
"If I'm going to have any chance of winning this tournament I know I have to play well again. That tiddler at the last cost me but hopefully I'll make up for it tomorrow," concluded Clarke, whose outlook compared to 24 hours previous was like night and day.
Padraig Harrington was playing in front of Clarke and the close proximity of the pair ensured these two groups commanded the lion's share of the spectators who made it to Carton House. Harrington's pursuit was stalled by two bogeys but a 69 still leaves the Dubliner firmly in contention on two under.
"The round could have been a lot better that's for sure," said the Dubliner. "I didn't take my chances but who knows what will happen tomorrow. There are a lot of people in contention but I am definitely within striking range. I will need a very good score."
Bjorn is working with two psychologists at the moment in an attempt to bring the more relaxed character - that he possesses away from the course - to the course when competing.
"I suppose Darren and I have very similar personalities and, yes, some people say we are too intense on the golf course and right now I'm working to change that," said Bjorn who opened this tournament with a 78 and has since turned it completely around by shooting 66, 67.
Today's flawless round concluded with and eagle three at the last where he hit driver, three-wood and holed-out from 40 feet. It also means the Dane has played 36 holes without dropping a single shot since his treble-bogey eight at the 18th on the first day - which also included an air shot in the rough.
Though Bjorn will be up against players such as his good friend Clarke he will still treat the encounter "as a normal working day". "Our friendship goes way beyond golf, we share a big interest in each others lives and the lives of our families. The good thing about competing against your good friends like, Darren, Lee [Westwood] or Padraig is, of course, we all want to win badly but if you don't, you still feel good for the one that does win."
Wall had a lethargic outward half of one over 37 before returning in three under to grab his share of the lead, while Casey did the opposite by making a fast start in shooting 68 to join Bjorn: "I got off to a flyer with three birdies in the first four holes. I'm very happy and pleasantly surprised to be back up there again after slipping up at last week's British Masters. It will be very interesting to see what the final groups conjure up tomorrow," Casey said.
Clarke is joined in third by England's Ross Fisher (69) and Sweden's Peter Hedblom (70). Meanwhile, Ian Poulter could still be a threat despite shooting 73 to be two under. US Open Champion Michael Campbell will have to go very low if he is to win from level par.
Further down the field Damien McGrane (74), Colm Moriarty (70) and Peter Lawrie (75) were next best of the seven-strong Irish contingent on two over. Stephen Browne (72) was a shot further back from the trio while David Higgins' 74 left him six five over.
Due to a weather front expected tomorrow afternoon tournament organisers have opted for a 7.30am start as they want to get play finished by 2.30pm. The field will go out in three-balls from a two-tee start.
