Clarke in Irish Open surge
Darren Clarke has started strongly in the Nissan Irish Open today. After a brief stint in a share of the lead, he is now on -3 after five holes.
Paul McGinley is also on -3 after he completed his round. Padraig Harrington trails the field, tied in 50th place on two over.
Among the other Irish players, Gary Murphy is one over after his round today and Stephen Brown is seven over.
Meanwhile, England's David Howell put the disappointment of last week's play-off failure at the British Masters behind him to claim a share of the second-round lead at the Nissan Irish Open.
The Ryder Cup star, beaten by Thomas Bjorn on Sunday, had four birdies in five holes and moved alongside Liverpool's Nick Dougherty at the top of the leaderboard on -4 at Carton House.
Paul McGinley took seven at the 554-yard 15th, his sixth, but came back four birdies in his last eight holes.
Sixteen-year-old amateur Rory McIlroy, a brilliant joint 13th overnight following a 71, was looking to become one of the youngest players ever to make a halfway cut on the European Tour.
But the County Down talent crashed. After an outward 41 he took seven at the long fourth and had two more bogeys to stand eight over.
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