Darren Clarke stepped up a gear to charge through the field in the third round of the Murphy's Irish Open in Cork.

Colin Montgomerie has been presented with a golden chance to play his way into Europe’s Ryder Cup side.

Jean Van de Velde and Ian Woosnam could be fighting it out for a place in the Open in three weeks’ time.

Thomas Bjorn is the current leader of the Murphy’s Irish Open at Fota.

Colin Montgomerie failed to pick up where he left off when the Murphy's Irish Open second round began at Fota Island near Cork.

Ireland's Eamonn Darcy has been joined at the top of the leaderboard by Fredrik Henge from Sweden 6 under par, 65.

Darren Clarke's bid to become the first home winner of the Irish Open since 1982 got off to a fine start at Fota Island near Cork today.

Lee bogeyed the 17th to drop alongside Clarke and Casey on one under, but Swindon’s David Howell, beaten in a play-off for the British Masters four weeks ago, and Australian left-hander Richard Green improved to three under.

Lee Westwood turned his attentions back to his own game today - after helping Darren Clarke to sort out his.