Clarke maintains grip on lead

NEW US Open champion Graeme McDowell has promised countryman Darren Clarke a contest despite trailing 10 shots behind Clarke heading to the closing two rounds of the Barclay’s Scottish Open.

Clarke continues to impress after carding a 67 in steady Loch Lomond rain to move to 10-under par and three strokes clear of Italian Edorado Molinari (69).

The 41-year-old has dropped just one stroke in 36 holes as he strives to end a two-year winless drought and also earn a place into next week’s British Open.