Clarke ends year on the up Down Under

Darren Clarke ended his season on a high with his best-placed finish in nearly 18 months after climaxing the Australian PGA Championship in a nine-way share of eighth place.

Clarke got off to a blistering start shooting an eagle and three birdies in his first five holes before playing his next dozen holes in one over par for an eventual final round 68 on nine under par.

The event was won by unheralded 26-year-old Australian Daniel Popovic — the current 1,251st ranked player winning a maiden pro career title by four shots at 16-under par.