Golf - Australian Open: Darren Clarke's one-week venture Down Under is struggling to pay dividends as the Dungannon pro is in danger of missing the cut at the Australian Open on a day when heavy rain suspended play at Royal Sydney Golf Club.

The 40-year-old started the day on level par but dropped to two-over after nine holes before the players were called off the course. Clarke made four bogeys and just two birdies at the third and eighth in a real mixed bag and is now in danger of missing the cut.

Clarke, who is ranked 66th in the world, had hoped for a strong tournament in his bid to get back into the world's top 50 before the end of the year.

When rain stopped play at the Rose Bay venue Western Australia's Stephen Dartnall held a two-shot lead over joint overnight leader Mathew Goggin, who struggled to a two-under 70.

Playing in the first group of the day, Dartnall made the most of wet but calm conditions on his way to a four-under 68 for the outright lead on 11-under.

Ewan Porter, who also held a share of the lead after round one, sits one behind Goggin in third after signing for a 71 despite bogeying two of the last three holes.

Rod Pampling is well placed at six-under after a solid second-round 71 alongside New South Welshman Matt Jones, who scorched around the tricky layout in five-under par.

Playing in the second group of the afternoon, Robert Allenby made light work of the trying conditions to move to five under overall and four under on the day through nine holes.

Two-time champion Peter Lonard joins Allenby after carding a two-under 70 while Cameron Percy, who equalled Jones' low round of the day signing for a 67, is also one of five players at five under.

New Zealand duo Mark Brown and David Smail are among a cluster of players at four under - both men were one over for the day when bad weather stopped play.

Pre-tournament favourite Geoff Ogilvy had made an early move turning in 34 to be two-under.

Former champion Stuart Appleby did his best to save his round with two birdies in his last three holes but, like Clarke, is in danger of missing the cut and finds himself tied 71st.

Defending champion Craig Parry (73), veteran Peter Senior (74) and Nathan Green (73) are a further stroke back while American John Daly is one under through nine and five-over for the tournament.