Pretty good 70 for Clarke

GOLF courses don’t come much tougher these days than Augusta National, especially in Masters week. So Darren Clarke has every reason to be satisfied with yesterday’s opening round of 70 that left him three off the early lead held by England’s Justin Rose.

Meanwhile, Pádraig Harrington didn't need to be unduly despondent at finishing on two over par 74.

As Harrington noted, there are still 54 holes to go and it certainly would be premature to start talking about the Par 3 jinx or anything of that nature! Clarke, for his part, made a stir as soon as he arrived at the golf course yesterday. His new slim line figure was clothed in a deep red trousers with vertical cream stripes finished off by snow white turn-ups with splits! The "ensemble" was completed by a matching visor and thankfully a white shirt. Arnold Palmer took it all in before finally sidling over and saying "gee, Darren, I had trousers like those 40 years ago." On making his way to the practice putting green, Davis Love 111 picked up his golf balls and strode up to the Ulsterman. "I'm moving over here so that I can get a better look", he quipped.