Clarke hovering around cut-off point

After an unplanned day off Darren Clarke finally began his second round at the Spanish Open in Madrid today and did so knowing he probably needed a 69 just to survive the halfway cut.

Clarke was among half the field who did not hit a shot yesterday as rain forced a further 100-minute delay on top of almost eight hours lost on Thursday.

The Ryder Cup star, trying to halt a slide down the world rankings that currently sees him at 69th, managed only a three over par 75 in the first round and by the time he teed off again he was 11 strokes behind leader Stuart Little.

But that did at least become 10 when he birdied the 442-yard second.

Little led by one overnight from fellow Englishmen Nick Dougherty and Mark Foster and also South African Charl Schwartzel

Of those who had only a few holes of their second rounds to complete this morning Australian Marcus Fraser, Swede Fredrik Andersson Hed and England's Richard Bland all finished on five under for a share of seventh place.

There were a number of withdrawals from players with no chance of surviving the cut, including European Tour tournament committee chairman Jamie Spence.

On returning to the locker room Spence was appalled at the condition it had been left in by the players he represents.  "It's like a pigsty and I find it embarrassing," said Spence as he and others began a clear-up operation.

Updates later. . .