Brilliant Clarke soars to the top at KLM Open

8/22/2008

Darren Clarke gave a huge boost to his hopes of a Ryder Cup wild card by charging into a share of the halfway lead at The KLM Open in Holland.

The 40 year old Northern Irishman wanted to show Nick Faldo he has form as well as experience and did just that with a sparkling six under par 64.

As for the race for the last three automatic spots in Faldo's Team, Justin Rose, Oliver Wilson and Soren Hansen are still able to control their own destiny.

Rose, joint fifth after an opening 67, lost some ground with a 69, but three birdies in his last six birdies made it a better day than it looked like being at one stage.

Wilson, ninth in the standings, remained one under, while Dane Hansen's 69 for six under was no mean effort given that he resumed with a double bogey six.

Hansen is €268 ahead of German Martin Kaymer in the last automatic spot and Kaymer reached four under before bogeying two of the last three for a 66. He is now two under overall.

Rock looked superb in a round of 64 and said afterwards: “I am just trying to make the most of limited starts this year. I got in here late so arrived yesterday and played okay and then got it round again today and I am right in it.

Sweden's World Number Six Henrik Stenson, who moved to seven under with a 65, is firmly in contention.

The 32 year old has not won for 18 months, but tied up a second Cup appearance against the Americans by coming third in The Open Championship and fourth at the US PGA Championship.

Defending champion Fisher, 13th in the Cup race, made it through to the weekend on level par, while Nick Dougherty's lip-out on the last gave him a 68 and one over total.

Leaderboard – Round 2:

1.  Darren Clarke                  NIR  68 64 132 - 8
     Alexander Noren             SWE  66 66 132 - 8
     Robert Rock                    ENG  68 64 132 - 8
4.  Ross McGowan                 ENG  69 64 133 - 7
     Henrik Stenson               SWE  68 65 133 - 7
6.  Felipe Aguilar                  CHL  70 64 134 - 6
     Michael Campbell             NZL  68 66 134 - 6
     Simon Dyson                   ENG  70 64 134 - 6
     Soren Hansen                  DEN  65 69 134 - 6
10. Anders Hansen                DEN  69 66 135 - 5
     Gary Orr                         SCO  68 67 135 - 5
     Greame Storm                 ENG  71 64 135 - 5
     Anthony Wall                   ENG  67 68 135 - 5

Source: European Tour