Darren Clarke ahead of Dusty Johnson as we go into the final round at British Open
Darren Clarke of Northern Ireland shot a 1-under 69 Saturday to take a one-stroke lead to the final round of the British Open. Clarke is at 5-under 205 for the tournament and will play in the final group with American Dustin Johnson, who shot a 68 to leave him at 206.
After his round, a jovial Clarke said “I’m 42 now, going on 14, but I’m officially 42 and I haven’t got many more chances left and I said I’d like to prepare properly this time so I came and spent a good 8 hours practice round getting to know the course again.” When asked about his putting, that might have seen him 4 or 5 strokes ahead of the field had a few of them dropped, he said “I couldn’t ask any more from my tee to green play but my putting was off and I didn’t have the pace with the putting and I struggled with it….I kept giving myself chances and it was a frustrating day but I’m pretty proud of myself and I stayed incredibly patient and I got something out of the round. I’m pretty pleased.”
American Rickie Fowler, also shot a 68 and is tied at 208 with first-round co-leader Thomas Bjorn of Denmark and they will be in the penultimate group tomorrow followed by Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain and Lucas Glover of the U.S. who are four strokes back. The weather was the big story in the third round. The day began with howling rain and wind, which sent scores soaring for those teeing off in the morning but the sun came out in the afternoon and made things a little easier for those with later start times.
Have to say, I’m very pleased with the leaderboard as it contains some of my favorite golfers. Here’s me pictured with a few of them when they were in Orlando earlier in the year…all great guys and all quite happy to pose for a picture :
Darren Clarke & Nigel Worrall
Dustin Johnson & Nigel Worrall
Rickie Fowler & Nigel Worrall
