GOLF/US Tour: Darren Clarke's indifferent play continued at the Heritage Classic at Hilton Head, South Carolina yesterday.

Clarke, who led the Masters in Augusta at one stage in the first round, could not have had two more contrasting nines yesterday.

After blasting out of the blocks with three birdies in the first five holes and another at the ninth to take him to the turn in four under 32 it was all downhill on the way home.

A bogey at the 11th was followed by two more at the 13th and 16 for an inward half of 38 and a total of 70 - the same mark as Ernie Els but five behind the early leader Craig Barlow.

Barlow's opening 65 was the opposite of Clarke's. Starting at the 10th Barlow struggling to a two over par 37 on the way out but blitzed the back-nine in a remarkable 28 the included two eagles and four birdies.

Barlow, a 30-year-old from Nevada who is seeking his maiden PGA Tour victory, leads by one shot over world number four Davis Love III.

Rocco Mediate, Kenny Perry, David Sutherland, Scott Simpson are joint third on four-under 68.