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Clarke misfires in Joburg

10/01/2008

Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke is eight shots off the pace after the first round of the European Tour event in Johannesburg.

Clarke finished a frustrating day at the Joburg Open, entering the clubhouse on two over after a round of 73.

He is well off the pace set by the early leaders, South African pair Mark Murless and Tyrone Ferreira, who both scored well despite heavy rain at the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club.

Both managed to come home with rounds of 65 to lead a trio of three players one shot behind, including England's Ross McGowan and Wales' Sion Bebb.

The two Brits are well in contention after five-under rounds of 64, the same score as Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal.

Six other players, including Englishman Gary Lockerbie and Scotland's David Drysdale, are on four under, with a raft of others one further behind going into the second day.

Clarke endured a difficult day, but experienced most of his trouble in the closing holes.

He was set for a level-par score until two bogeys on the 16th and 18th left him with an even bigger mountain to climb in the first European Tour event of 2008.