Anguished Clarke continues to suffer

Darren Clarke cut a despondent figure as he slipped out of Shinnecock Hills yesterday after shooting a second round of 74 for a seven over par total in the second round of the 104th US Open.

Clarke's failure typified a bitterly disappointing performance by the European contingent as a whole. His compatriot, the much fancied Padraig Harrington, ground out a 71 for four over and faces the starter over the week-end with little or no hope of breaking his duck where major championships are concerned.

With none of their fellow Euros troubling the leaderboard, all the pre-championship hype about how the Shinnecock links should suit them was made to sound just that.