February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By John Manley
There have been two Darren Clarkes traversing the fairways of the world in 1999. The early part of the year saw a Clarke we have not known the likes of in recent years, one hard pressed to make the cut even when pitted against modest competition. Recent weeks have witnessed the return of the Clarke we have come to admire in recent years: he who can hold his own with the best competition the world can throw at him. In last weekend’s Volvo PGA Championship at the Wentworth Club in Surrey, England, both Clarkes were on display.
The good Clarke actually had a one-stroke lead over Ernie Els after 36 holes, thanks to consecutive rounds of five-under-par 67. The likes of Jose Maria Olazabal, Colin Montgomerie and Jesper Parnevik languished several places down the leaderboard. Then the bad Clarke somehow broke out of Dr. Jekyll’s closet.
Clarke staggered his way to a 77 in Sunday’s third round, falling five shots behind Montgomerie, who assumed the lead at this point. Monty would have been awfully tough to beat on Monday under any circumstances, especially when he’s coming in with a 64. Clarke recovered with a 69, leaving him eight under for the tournament at 280, tied with five others for 13th place. Montgomerie, at 270, won with a five-stroke cushion over Mark James.
Des Smyth continued to play steady golf, tying for 29th spot at 283 (69-72-72-70). Padraig Harrington could be found with two others at 56th place, having shot 289 (74-70-72-73). Philip Walton was farthest down among all the finishers at 66th position, but having made the cut represents a victory of sorts for one who has fallen off the radar charts in two years’ time. Walton shot 294 (73-72-74-75).
Going home early were Paul McGinley, 148 (77-71), Stephen Hamill, 150 (75-75), Robert Giles, 151 (73-78), John McHenry, 153 (79-74), and Damian McGrane, 156 (77-79). One-over-par 145 or better was needed to make the cut.
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U.S. Seniors Tour
Christy O’Connor went against type in the Boone Valley Classic, played in Hale Irwin’s backyard in Augusta, Missouri. O’Connor has lately been saving
his heroics for the closing round, but was quick out of the gate here with a 67, leaving him just one stroke off the lead. He continued to contend throughout Saturday’s second round, and approached the 18th tee at six under par, three shots off the leader, Bruce Summerhays.
O’Connor then double bogeyed 18, and picked up where he left off on Sunday, with a double bogey on number one. At this point, he was effectively eliminated from a run at the championship, and was playing for purse money.
Meanwhile, Irwin was taking control of matters and stormed to a 66, which gave him a two-stroke victory over Al Geiberger. O’Connor settled down and ended the day with an even par 72, entitling him to a share of 22nd place at 212 (67-73-72). They cut him a check for $14,397.
European Seniors Tour
You can forgive David Jones if he was a bit preoccupied as he teed off in the Philips PFA Golf Classic at the Marriott Meon Valley in England. Jones, of Bangor, Co. Down, lost a playoff here last year. The question now is can Jones forgive himself after blowing the lead in this year’s event, leading to an eighth-place finish. He topped the leaderboard after 36 holes, with rounds of 69 and 66, but his putter had a mind of its own in Monday’s third and final round. Jones came in at 73 for a total of 208, four shots behind the winning number of 204 hung up by Bob Shearer.
Others who made their presence known were Paul Leonard, ninth place at 209 (69-69-71), Arnold O’Connor, tied for 11th at 211 (70-74-67), Eddie Polland, tied for 15th at 212 (74-69-69), Denis O’Sullivan, 19th at 213 (72-73-68), and Liam Higgins, tied for 20th at 214 (73-72-69).
PGA Tour
Richard Coughlan made it into the Kemper Open by qualifying on Monday morning. His first stint on this circuit in 1999 was short lived, however. His 147 (75-72) missed the cut by two strokes.