Darren Clarke, a driven man

“FAST cars and big cigars,” roared the delighted fans, as Darren Clarke unleashed an enormous drive down the middle of the 18th fairway in yesterday’s second round of the US Open at Olympia Fields.

"I thought that was pretty good," beamed the big Ulsterman, who is well-known for his collection of fancy vehicles, including Ferraris, BMWs, four-wheel-drives and the like. His penchant for oversized 'stogies', as they call cigars here, has also struck a chord in the American psyche.

They also acknowledge the quality of his golf game. Those who followed his match yesterday which also included the tournament's clear leader Jim Furyk and the great left-hander Phil Mickelson agreed that he should have shot a lot better than 69, a return that left him one-under for the championship at the halfway stage, and six behind Furyk.