Clarke shares lead in early stages at Atlanta

IRELAND’S Darren Clarke overcame challenging conditions to share the clubhouse lead midway through yesterday’s opening round of the £3.2million Tour Championship.

Clarke was joined by Americans Jay Haas and Jerry Kelly in a three-way tie in the early stages.

Haas and Clarke coped with a testing breeze, carding three-under-par 67s on a crisp afternoon at East Lake Golf Club. They are part of an elite 30-man field competing in the season-ending event in Atlanta.