Darren Clarke stormed his way back into contention on the second morning of the Open Championship at Muirfield near Edindburgh.
The world number 15 was five-under through 11 holes, catapulting himself from this morning’s one-over start position in a tie for 61st place.
The Tyrone star began with birdies at the first and fourth before recording a delightful eagle at the fifth. The 34-year-old’s momentum was stalled briefly with a bogey at the next, but still, he forged ahead with further birdies at the ninth and 10th.
Clarke was tied in fourth place on four-under, two shots behind the new leader Nick Price. The ever popular Zimbabwean collected three birdies in his opeing seven holes as the 45-year-old tries to emulate his Open victory on another Scottish links at Turnberry in 1994.
Sweden’s Carl Pettersson and Stephen Ames from Trinidad and Tobago moved into an early share of second one shot behind the leader after both had played four holes.
If yesterday’s golf seemed a little flat with the majority of players opting for iron play safety off the tee, then today has been one of more excitement as the morning starters get rewarded with eagles and birdies for more attacking play.
One such player was Colin Montgomerie who also played himself back into the Championship. Starting the day on three-over, the Scot had plenty of work to do but three birdies and an eagle at the fifth got Monty to three-under by the time he reached the turn.
Of the three other Irishmen at Muirfield, Des Smyth was the next to take to the course. The Drogheda professional set the place alight with yesterday’s 68 in the opening group and tees-off just before midday today.
Paul McGinley (one-over) gets under way at 1:02 p.m. while Padraig Harrington (two-under) has to wait until 3:08 p.m. to continue his good work.