Clarke shoots 66 for three-shot lead after 54 holes at KLM Open

8/23/2008

Ryder Cup contender Darren Clarke shot a 4-under 66 Saturday to take a three-stroke lead over Henrik Stenson at the KLM Open on the European Tour.

The KLM Open is one of the last chances -- along with next weekend's Johnnie Walker Championship in Scotland -- for players to try to earn a Ryder Cup spot.

Sweden's Stenson shot a 68, while Englishman John Bickerton's 66 put him third, four strokes behind Clarke.

Noren was tied for sixth after a bogey at No. 8, but had three birdies in the first five holes on the back nine to finish with a 72.

But while Clarke was smiling, Justin Rose was furious with himself after falling into the pack.

Eighth in the points race, Rose flew from America to try to clinch a Ryder Cup debut and hoped he might be able to head straight back across the Atlantic for the second leg of the FedEx Cup playoffs.

Now, however, he might have to stay for the final European qualifying event, and after three-putting from inside 15 feet on the last green at Kennemer Golf & Country Club, his anger boiled over.

A 1-over-par round of 71 left Rose down in 24th place on 3 under. The two players immediately below him on the Ryder Cup points table, Oliver Wilson and Soren Hansen, are 5 under and 6 under.

Clarke had moved into a share of the halfway lead with a second round of 64 and more birdies on the fourth, sixth and seventh holes today swept him clear.

KLM Open – Round 3:

1. Darren Clarke                NIR  68 64 66 198 -12
2. Henrik Stenson              SWE  68 65 68 201 - 9
3. John Bickerton                ENG  65 71 66 202 - 8
4. Michael Campbell            NZL  68 66 69 203 - 7
    Marc Warren                  SCO  72 64 67 203 - 7
6. Grégory Bourdy               FRA  69 67 68 204 - 6
    Simon Dyson                  ENG  70 64 70 204 - 6
    Soren Hansen                 DEN  65 69 70 204 - 6
    Paul McGinley                  IRL  69 68 67 204 - 6
    Alexander Noren             SWE  66 66 72 204 - 6
    Anthony Wall                  ENG  67 68 69 204 - 6

Source: AP, European Tour