The Irish challenge for the second Macau Open Championship got off to a low-key start yesterday as Darren Clarke and his three compatriots all failed to break par. But Clarke's Ryder Cup team-mate, England's Lee Westwood, fairly roared into action with a course record 66, five-under-par for a share of the lead in the US$200,000 Asian PGA Tour event at the Macau Golf and Country Club.
Clarke steadied his somewhat listing ship and put his Augusta Master's woes behind him with a one-over-par 72, although with a roller coaster of a round, he will be disappointed that he failed to capitalise on a flying start. He birdied the first two holes, before a nightmare sequence of four holes in the middle of the front nine left him one over at the turn. The outward half consisted of three birdies, two bogies and a "horrible" double bogey at the long, par four fifth hole.
The inward half was played in regulation, a bogey at the difficult par three 14th cancelled out by an excellent birdie four at the 564yard par five 18th. "It's getting better, but I'm not making the most of my opportunities," he said. "I just have no momentum at the moment." He seemed fairly happy with his day's work, and his overall demeanour suggests that the sleeping giant is suffering from little more than a lack of confidence, and, perhaps the effects of fatherhood.
Clarke's fellow Irishmen are all clustered around him, all over par and none threatening the lead, with the exception of Bryan O'Melia, who is one shot better off than Clarke at level par. Peter Lawrie, at two over, is far from out of contention, and should, at the very worst make the cut for the final two days.
Richard Coughlan, struggling all day at three over looks in most danger of packing his clubs early, but all four must make a move tomorrow if any of them are to threaten the US$32,000 first prize come Sunday afternoon.
