European Open update: Darren Clarke was one of the early starters on the second morning of the Smurfit Kappa European Open and the Ulsterman wasted little time in bullying his way into contention with some inspired golf at the K-Club.
Starting at the 10th on three-under after a 69 yesterday, Clarke birdied four of his opening six holes en route to a second round 68, which left him one shot behind the current clubhouse leader Stephen Dodd from Wales (69).
Clarke finds himself alongside joint overnight leaders Niclas Fasth from Sweden and Bradley Dredge from Wales, who are both afternoon starters.
"I hit a lot of good shots out there today but I had to grind it out as well," said Clarke. "The course was playing tough and you certainly don't need the wind to get up any more."
"I had a couple of good breaks out there, like the pitch in at 10. Sure I missed some chances but I also made some. That's the name of the game, swings and roundabouts.
Clarke stated this week his determination to play his way onto Ian Woosnam's Ryder Cup team but it's not an overriding thought: "The Ryder Cup doesn't consume my thoughts at the moment. I will just keep playing and see what happens."
Stephen Browne was making great strides and had got to four-under with one hole to play. Damien McGrane consolidated his opening 69 with a level par 72 to find himself well-placed at three under going into the weekend.
Unfortunately for Paul McGinley it looks as though he will miss the cut as his one under 71 left him two over for the tournament. The Dubliner cuts a dejected figure at the moment as he tries to ride a slump in form, which if it continues, could jeopardise his position on the Ryder Cup team.
Other completed Irish scores saw David Higgins (72) finish on the same mark as McGinley while Michael Hoey (75) finished four over. Peter Lawrie (75) was a shot further back on five over.
Padraig Harrington moved to three under with a birdie at the third while Graeme McDowell was back to two under with two bogeys and one birdie in his opening four holes.
Golf, of course, can be a fickle game and Maarten Lafeber certainly knows this more than most. The Dutchman had a hole-in-one at the 174 yard second yesterday but his fortunes took a spectacular turn for the worse this morning.
Lafeber - just five shots off the lead - will putt out the remainder of his second round with a wedge because frustration got the better of him. After one missed putt too many, he hurled his putter into the lake at the 13th hole.
