Perks back on happy hunting ground

Players' Championship: If Craig Perks seemed to have fallen off the face of the world before he arrived back in Ponte Vedra Beach to defend his Players' Championship title, the return to these shores has given him a rebirth of sorts.

So much so, in fact, that the New Zealander is one of those in pursuit of Padraig Harrington at the midway stage.

"It loves me, it really does," said Perks, of a course that normally causes torment more than joy to his fellow professionals. What made Perks's return to form all the more impressive, however, was that he has turned from one caddie to another and then to another in the space of three days.

His bagman at the start of the week was unable to caddie in Thursday's first round, whereupon he turned to a gentleman by the name of Rodney Erb, who fulfilled his duties very professionally and expertly in the weather-marred first round as Perks stayed around the fringes of the leadership battle.

On Thursday night, however, Erb was pulled over by the local police for speeding - and it was discovered that there was an outstanding warrant for his arrest.Having being taken to the local cop shop, he wasn't released in time to team up with Perks for the completion of his first round yesterday, or in time for the second round.

So Perks turned to Australian Tony Lingard - who normally caddies for Frank Lickliter - and, would you believe it, proceeds to add a 69 to his opening 68 to finish on seven-under-par, two behind Harrington.

"I'm excited where I am. I really didn't know what to expect coming into this week. I have got some incredible memories from last year, fond memories. But I basically just didn't want to embarrass myself these first two days. I wanted to play like a true champion.

"No one gave me a chance to win last year and I did. So, obviously there is something about this course that gets me going. I'm the defending champion and I have still got my flag flying out there in the Circle of Champions and, hopefully, it will be that way on Sunday evening."

Meanwhile, Darren Clarke, who was among the later starters, was moving into a very challenging position. Having started the day at one-under, Clarke reached the turn in 33 - to be on four-under - and then, playing flawless golf and not dropping a shot in his opening 11 holes, birdied the 11th for his fourth birdie of the round to move into tied-ninth in the tournament.