4/07/2012

Clarke Gets Close to Couples


Darren Clarke's dire run since last July’s Open win continued as he slumped to a second-round 81.

That left the Open Champion on 10 over and condemned him to his sixth missed cut since his emotional victory at Royal St George’s.

Clarke, 43, had one birdie but carded eight bogeys and a double at the 17th.

Paired with 52-year-old playing partner Fred Couples — who shot 67 — Clarke was left to head for the airport still nursing the effects of a groin strain, which almost caused his withdrawal from The Masters.

A total of 63 players have survived the halfway cut at the 2012 Masters following the withdrawal of Jason Day

The Australian, who quit after completing seven holes at Augusta National, was one over par for the day, five over for the championship and in danger of missing the cut. The world No11 had been battling the injury for more than a week and needed treatment and painkillers just to start the year's first major.

Three amateurs will play the final two days at the Augusta National after the cut fell on +5 - with 31 missed out.

Tom Watson, making his 38th consecutive Master's appearance, dating back to 1977, also missed out after bogeys on the last tow holes.

Rory McIlroy is one off the lead and is joined by Graeme McDowell on +3 after he made the cut for the first time in a number of starts at Augusta. 

Par 3 winner Pádraig Harrington is one over par and much work to do to share the August jinx.





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