Fourth-placed Clarke ponders what might have been

DARREN Clarke scanned the scoreboard as he stood on the 18th green at The K-Club yesterday and it was only then it dawned on him that he could well have been in the shake-up for the Smurfit European Open title.

He eventually shot 73 for an even par aggregate of 288 that was worth a share of fourth place and a cheque for €160,172.

But for Clarke, it really was a case of what might have been. He began the final day seven behind Thomas Bjorn, the same as eventual winner Kenneth Ferrie, and when he dropped three shots in his opening two holes, victory was out of the question.