In-form Clarke outdone by local lad

DARREN CLARKE’S lowest European Tour round since 1999 was still not quite enough to give him the first round lead in the Joburg Open yesterday.

The 40-year-old Ulsterman shot an eight-under-par 63 over the easier West Course at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington, but little-known South African Neil Schietekat then went one better.

Ranked only 1,074th in the world, Schietekat turned his form in the event on its head. He missed the halfway cut the last two years after opening with scores of 79 and 77.