GOLF TOUR NEWS:THE STOP-START nature of the Shell Houston Open in Texas has done no one any favours, particularly for players whose itinerary takes in next week's US Masters. For Darren Clarke, though, at least he has given himself an outside chance of gaining a last -minute call to the first major of the year.

PGA Tour officials at the €4.3million event in Redstone Golf Club in Humble, Texas were already behind the eight-ball after the first day’s play was abandoned due to high winds with half the 144 field unable to start their rounds.

From that start point organisers were always playing catch up to ensure the tournament still concludes on Sunday evening. It now appears certain the event will be reduced to 54-holes to finish in time for Masters week.

Clarke’s goal is simple: he must win to secure an invite to Augusta.

As one of the players who never got started on Thursday, the 40-year-old started his first round at the 10th and made good progress with birdies at the 11th and 15th and no dropped shots to turn in two-under 34. He picked up a further birdie at the second, his 11th, to be three-under with three holes still to play only to drop a shot at the 7th, his 16th.

Rory McIlroy made great strides of his own, birdying his final hole for a five-under-par 67 to be in contention again, while Pádraig Harrington signed for a level par 72.

Americans Briny Baird and Nicholas Thompson lead the way on seven-under after the pair carded 65s.

Lee Westwood led on four-under after the weather-delayed opening day and eventually completed his round in three-under 69 to be tied with Camilo Villegas.