Houston frustration for Clarke

Darren Clarke’s charge in the thunderstorm affected Shell Houston Open came to a screeching halt — no thanks to the sound of screeching brakes.

Clarke, who is contesting the $6 million (€4.5m) event for a first time in three years, was three under par standing on the 18th tee — or the ninth hole of his opening round — on the Redstone course.

However, the British Open champion then sent his tee shot into water that runs the entire length down the left side and, after playing a third from the tee, Clarke was just about to hit a fourth from the fairway when a golf cart being driven down the path on the right of the hole slammed on its brakes.