Darren Clarke fought his way back into contention at the K Club yesterday - after some emergency 'surgery' on his putter.

The big man from Dungannon become an honorary doctor of the University of Ulster last week.

But he took his title of 'Doctor' a bit too seriously by 'operating' on his putter after Thursday's opening 74.

"Dr" Clarke's surgery left the patient a little worse for wear as it finished up in two pieces.

He said: "I haven't holed much today but at least I putted a little bit better. After I left you guys last night, I went to the putting green for two and a half hours and I dismembered the putter on the way. I operated on it and it died. It's well and truly gone."

Now Clarke's cut down putter might be the perfect length for his two-year old son Conor.

He admitted: "Conor may be using it now. But I'm pleased with the new putter and if a few more drop for me tomorrow I'll be back in this tournament."

Yesterday Clarke hit five birdies in a two under par 70 that keeps his title defence alive for the weekend.

But it could have been so much better were it not for a visit to the water on the seventh that led to a double bogey six.

"I played nicely again today," he said. "But it's the usual stuff. I'm doing okay and then I take the most shots that I can. I was one under par for the tournament with three holes to go and with another birdie or two I'm back in the tournament.

"I hit a perfect tee shot on the seventh, tried to hit a hard lobber and I hit it heavy into the water.

"So I dropped a ball and hit another lobber from two yards ahead of that to five feet and it horseshoed out and I made double bogey.

"I had played my way back in but I am not totally out of it. It depends what happens later but I had my opportunities but let it go."

In fairness to Clarke he has had to put up with the very worst of the weather on both days.

He complained: "It's true that I've had the worst of the weather conditions but at least I putted a little bit better."

Clarke started on the 10th and went to three over par for the tournament early on with a bogey five at the 13th

But he was soon back on track with four birdies in the next eight holes.

"I'm hitting it nicely and I'm playing okay, but it hasn't quite been happening for me. I'm not making the most of my good shots and anytime I hit an average shot I pay the penalty."

On the 15th he hit a wedge to six feet to set up his first birdie and followed that up with a great three at the 17th along the banks of the Liffey.

Explained Clarke: "I hit a perfect three wood and a six iron to about a foot, which was a great shot."

One under to the turn, he continued to impress on his back nine.

A five iron to five feet at the second him back to level for the tournament before he carded his fourth birdie of the day at the par five fourth where he splashed out of a bunker to a matter of inches.

But the key moment of the round came at the tough, 478 yard sixth.

Said Clarke: "The sixth is playing really tough but I hit two great shots, a driver and then a five iron to about 20 feet and I was walking after the putt but it spun out."

The double bogey at the seventh knocked some of the wind out of Clarke's sails but he showed his resilience with a lovely deuce at the 173 yard eighth.

"I had my chances today," he said. "But I'm not out of it on this golf course. If I am just seven back at the end of the day I will be in with a shout."

Top

© Brian Keogh 2002

Back