Clarke stays on course to go ‘Double Dutch’

DARREN CLARKE has given himself the chance to go ‘Double Dutch’ this weekend.

After a second-round 67 yesterday, defending champion Clarke shares the KLM Open halfway lead with Swede Peter Hedblom in Zandvoort.

And two more big names are already out with Colin Montgomerie and Jose Maria Olazabal both missing the halfway cut.

Nobody has retained the title since American Bob Byman in 1978, but Clarke’s hopes are boosted by the fact that this is the same Kennemer course on which he won by four last year.

“It’s one of my favourite venues. It sets up well for me and it’s always nice to come back to a place where you’ve done well,” said the Irishman, who has not had a single top-10 finish since his victory 12 months ago.

After mixing three birdies with three bogeys on the front nine, Clarke, who like last year has his sons Tyrone and Conor with him, came home in 31 by picking up more strokes on the 10th, 12th and 15th.

Hedblom has not even had a top-20 finish this season, but he joined Clarke on eight under par with his second successive 66.

“When you’re struggling it’s nice to get away from everything,” said the 39-year-old. “I’ve just had a three-week break and for part of that I took my motor boat and stayed on an island near where I live. I’ve been playing for so long that you learn that you have to keep frustration away. Last year was my best season, so I know I have the game.”

They are a stroke ahead of England’s Kenneth Ferrie, Welshman Bradley Dredge, Dubliner Peter Lawrie, Swede Oskar Henningsson and Australian Wade Ormsby.

Lawrie was 10 under and clear leader with three to play, but hit a wild drive down the long seventh and lost it, then followed that bogey six with a double bogey on the 418-yard ninth. For that he drove left again, had to chip out and three-putted from only 15 feet.

“I played lovely apart from two bad shots,” the 35-year-old said after his 68. “But I’m only one behind and can’t really complain.”

First round leaders Paul McGinley and Gary Orr both slipped back. McGinley had a 70 to remain six under and Orr’s 73 put him five behind.