Clarke steady on the greens

Darren Clarke made his third successive cut in the US Open yesterday when an admirable second round of 70 gave him a half-way total of 143 - three over par. It was achieved largely through some brilliant putting on firm, treacherous greens.

His 36-hole total was two strokes better than anything he had done at this stage in four previous US Open appearances. And a significant maturing over the last few years was clearly evident in his handling of a hurly-burly second successive day in the company of John Daly.

"It was a grind and the breeze made it even more difficult," said Clarke after a round that contained two birdies and two bogeys. "Though I hit the ball better than yesterday, there's still room for improvement." He added: "I was helped by Butch Harmon (his part-time coach) on Thursday night."

With some extremely difficult pin placements, his putting held the key. He has certainly benefited greatly from a simple, four-foot steel ruler, which be bought on the advice of Vijay Singh. "It cost $19.99 and I've had it since the Players' Championship," he said. "By putting the ball along it, my alignment is spot-on and I've found a great feel with the putter."

He wedged dead from 102 yards for a birdie at the long fourth, which meant that his longest birdie putt was from 18 inches behind the 11th hole. The ball came to rest there after a glorious nine-iron approach shot of 144 yards.

More important, however, in the context of his overall scoring, were par-saving putts from eight feet at the second and sixth, from six feet at the eighth and from seven feet at the next. So, allowing for the fact that he missed quite a number of greens, his putting return of 27 on Thursday and 29 yesterday has been most impressive.

"Right now I would take par overall," he added. "This course is going to get really tough over the weekend."

It hasn't yet reached the status of a Woodsgate, but it's heading that way. Yesterday's issue of USA Today added considerable fuel to the highly controversial story, prompted by an interview which Earl Woods gave to the current issue of the American bi-monthly men's magazine, Icon.

When asked if he had ever played golf in Scotland, the birthplace of the game, Tiger Woods's father is alleged to have replied: "That's for white people. It sucks as far as I'm concerned. (Scotland) has the sorriest weather.

"People had better be happy that the Scots lived there instead of soul brothers - the game of golf would never have been invented. We wouldn't have been stupid enough to go out in that weather and play a silly-ass game and freeze to death . . ."

Earlier this week, Tiger's agent issued a statement which read: "It's farcical and totally fabricated." And when Tiger was asked about it here on Thursday, he insisted: "He didn't say it. My dad knows Scotland is a wonderful place . . . my dad didn't mean any harm if he did say it, but I don't think he ever said it."

Christine Brennan, of USA Today, wrote: "I have news for the Woods family. He did say it. I heard the tape over the telephone. I heard every word. Earl Woods, who has written two books and appeared in at least one American Express commercial because he is seen as a great father to a great golfer, clearly was laughing and joking when he said it, but there can be no doubt about it: he said it."

She added: "Earl and Tiger Woods sought all those lucrative endorsement deals, the provocative TV ads, the omni-present image. Now, they have to learn to accept the responsibility and accountability that go with such a high-profile life."