Clarke upwardly mobile

Darren Clarke enjoyed an encouraging start to the second round of the US Open this afternoon, picking up two birdies in his first three holes to move within two shots of overnight leader Colin Montgomerie.

Clarke, the first of the four Irish challengers in action on the second day at Wing Foot in New York, began his round shortly after 1pm Irish time and was quickly into his stride, birdies at the 11th and 12th (his second and third) moving him into a tie for fifth place at one-over par.

He is currently alongside fellow Ulsterman Graeme McDowell who is among the later starters, as are Padraig Harrington (+3) and Paul McGinley (+4).

Tiger Woods began his second round looking to maintain another amazing career record. Woods has made the cut in all 37 majors he has played as a professional, and last missed one while still an amateur in the 1996 US Masters.

A first-round 76 at Winged Foot yesterday placed that record in some jeopardy, although the world number one was helped by the 10-shot rule in operation this week.

The top 60 players and ties will make the halfway cut tonight, as well as any player within 10 shots of the lead.

With the lead currently held at one under by Montgomerie, that meant players on nine over would be here for the weekend.

Woods stood at six over after recording pars at his first two holes, the 10th and 11th, and was looking to take advantage of the perfect early conditions to get back into contention.

"I just have to grind it out and if I can shoot under par the next two days I will be right up there," the 30-year-old said after his first round. "Last year was a lot easier than this and there was no-one under par by the end of the
week."

Montgomerie was among the later starters and had been briefly joined at the top of the leaderboard by Stricker, who carded a 70 on Thursday and had birdied the 14th this morning to move to one under. A bogey at the next moved him back to level par.

Defending champion Michael Campbell was also five over after a birdie on the 11th cancelled out a bogey on the 10th.