Patient Clarke finishes on 71

DARREN CLARKE thought there must be some mistake yesterday as he began the Players Championship in Florida with a one-under 71. The name of Tiger Woods was not on the leaderboard.

"I thought somebody was having some fun," said the Ulsterman. But they were not for much of the day the world number one, winner of three of his four tournaments so far this year, was way down the field.

However, birdies at the 16th and 17th rescued a level par 72 for Woods and with none of the early starters managing better than the 68s of American quartet Skip Kendall, Jay Haas, Bob Tway and Rocco Mediate, the damage was not severe.