Golf:Darren Clarke is last of the 12-man field at the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa after the first round, six behind leaders Lee Westwood and Charl Schwartzel. Clarke, who has not managed a top-30 finish since capturing the British Open last July (unless you include fourth place out of four at the Grand Slam in Bermuda) opened with a two over round of 74.
Defending champion Westwood and home favourite Schwartzel share the lead at the Gary Player Country Club after both carded 68s Sweden’s Robert Karlsson is a shot behind on three under, with Graeme McDowell and world number one Luke Donald among six players another stroke back on two under.
Donald had looked set to at least share the lead after playing the first 14 holes in four under, but found water off the tee on the 17th to run up a double-bogey six. In contrast, Westwood recovered from a bogey at the first to reach the turn in 34 thanks to a birdie on the second and an eagle three on the par-five ninth.
And the world number three picked up three more shots on the back nine, completing his round in style with a birdie from 18ft on the last. Schwartzel’s back nine was even more impressive, the South African storming home in 31 with five birdies after running up a double-bogey seven on the ninth.
“I got cross! I probably became fearless,” Schwartzel said. “Turning on one over I was not too happy with myself, I felt that I was playing better than that and sometimes that’s what you need to spur you on.
“I started releasing the club properly and was just firing at the flags. It didn’t look too promising after the turn, so I was happy with my finish. It gave me a nice positive vibe going into the next three rounds.”
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