Overnight leader and pre tournament favourite Darren Clarke wasted little time overtaking the morning challengers to resume his position at the top of the leaderboard on day two of the Compass English Open at the Forest of Arden today.
Clarke, in search of his third win in four years in this event, eased into his stride with three opening pars before three birdies elevated the Tyroneman to 10-under, one shot ahead of Scotland’s David Drysdale (67) in second.
Clarke shared the overnight lead on seven-under with Jarrod Moseley but the Australian was one-over today through five holes and four adrift.
An eclectic of home nation’s make up the rest of the leaderboard. Welshman Phillip Price was on his own on eight-under following his second successive 68.
England’s Darren Prosser (68), Justin Rose (69), Mark Roe (70) were all seven-under alongside Scotland’s Gary Orr who has played four holes.
Elsewhere veteran Irishman Eamonn Darcy redeemed himself with a fine four-under 68 today and should have done enough to make the cut with his two-under aggregate 142.
Paul McGinley was a shot back on one-under after an array birdies and bogeys, the former outweighed the latter, on the card. Having completed the course in 71, McGinley may be pleased with small progress as the Dubliner searches for the consistency he had become accustomed to.
David Higgins had a miserable end to his 75 yesterday and today has also been a struggle. Despite four birdies on the card, the Waterville pro had them cancelled with two double bogeys at the eighth and 10th and eventually finished five-over after shooting 74.
The week has concluded early for Des Smyth and probably Michael Hoey. As the projected cut is around one-under, Smyth’s 79 left him well off the pace at six-over 150. Hoey, another afternoon starter, needs a miracle to recover from yesterday’s 81, only a 61 or 62 will do today.
Philip Walton was an afternoon starter and remained one-under after five holes.