Darren Clarke is not going to forget Celtic Manor’s 14th hole for a while.

Defending champion Graeme McDowell was one of the biggest casualties today as Celtic Manor – scene of so much glory for him last year – turned into a course of carnage.

Gregory Havret, runner-up to Graeme McDowell in last year’s US Open, withdrew from the Saab Wales Open today following the death of his father.

RORY McILROY mixed the brilliant with the indifferent in the second round of the Memorial tournament at Muirfield Village, Ohio, yesterday but remains firmly in contention for his second victory on the PGA US Tour going into the weekend at the $6. 2 million (€4.2m) event.

THE atmosphere was never going to compare to last October’s Ryder Cup, but Graeme McDowell and Peter Hanson found Celtic Manor a happy hunting ground again yesterday.

The atmosphere was never going to compare to last October’s Ryder Cup, but Graeme McDowell and Peter Hanson found Celtic Manor a happy hunting ground again today.

Graeme McDowell turned on the style at Celtic Manor yet again today, starting the Saab Wales Open with a four-under-par 67.

DEFENDING the US Open in a fortnight’s time is the big date coming up for Graeme McDowell, but first comes this week’s SAAB Wales Open — and he wants to win that again too.

Ryder Cup heroes Ross Fisher, Miguel Angel Jimenez and Peter Hanson have confirmed that they will be joining last October’s match-winner Graeme McDowell and captain Colin Montgomerie in returning to Celtic Manor for the Saab Wales Open on June 2-5.