GOLF: Darren Clarke still shared the lead at the end of the second day of the English Open at the Forest of Arden yesterday. But the Ulsterman, winner of the title two of the last three years, thought he may have been three shots clear of Scottish rookie David Drysdale but for a decision by officials.

Rain halted play for just under an hour in mid-afternoon, but all the players affected were kept on the course throughout the stoppage.

"I didn't think it was right," said Clarke after posting a 70 to match Drysdale's nine-under-par halfway total of 135.

"I thought they could have called us in. We were on the 10th fairway and it was raining for the majority of the time.

"I wasted probably three shots when we resumed and I put that down mainly to standing around and not having the opportunity to go and hit a few balls and get warmed up again. I won't be having words, but it's just disappointing.

"I understand what they were trying to do - get everybody finished this evening - but it wasn't right."

But there was good news waiting for Clarke after he had spoken.

He has been drawn with world number one Tiger Woods in the first two rounds of the United States Open in New York next week, and he commented: "That's fantastic - a great draw. Tiger's the best player in the world and a great guy to play with."

While Clarke goes out with his friend Woods, Padraig Harrington has been paired with Tom Lehman and Steve Stricker, and Paul McGinley will play with Ben Crane and Jay Don Blake.

Out in 33, Clarke resumed with a bogey five, and after that mixed two birdies with two more bogeys, failing to get up and down from sand at the last.

Drysdale made it through the tour school at the fifth attempt last November and has already had two top-10 finishes.

The 27-year-old from Dunbar said: "The first thing is to try and get enough money to keep my card, but there are other things I'm looking at on top of that because I've now had a few good results."

Of the other Irish, Eamonn Darcy was next best after a four-under-par 68 left him on two under, while Paul McGinley (71) and Philip Walton (72) also made the cut.

But Des Smyth (79), David Higgins (74) and Michael Hoey, who withdrew, had all left themselves with too much to do.

Welsh Ryder Cup player Phillip Price, disappointed to finish third in the British Masters last week after leading with a round to play, is well placed again at eight under.

But only one further back is Justin Rose, who came charging past him to win at Woburn with two closing rounds of 65.

Alongside Rose is Sheffield's Mark Roe, who on the same course in 1995 was put out of the game when a shot from an amateur in a pro-am struck him on the head, and also English midlander Darren Prosser.

The Dudley golfer had to change his plans for the weekend after becoming a surprise contender for the £133,330 first prize.

The 33-year-old, who has never held a European tour card and has suffered from the energy-sagging ME virus, teaches at the nearby Three Hammers driving range and par three complex.