Clarke survives ‘brutal’ day

Darren Clarke didn’t drop a shot despite describing as “brutal” this week’s Tshwane Open course — one of the longest on the 2013 Race to Dubai schedule.

Clarke posted three birdies in a three-under-par 69 on the Ernie Els-designed Copperleaf course, but it was in-form Springbok Darren Fichardt who set the pace with a five-under-par 67 in the inaugural staging of the European and Sunshine tours co-sanctioned event.

The Centurion course itself measures 7,123 metres, 447m longer than this year’s Irish Open host venue at Carton House.

“The course is brutally long in places but then some of the short holes are typical Ernie Els designed,” said Clarke, one of three Major winners in the field, alongside Michael Campbell (level par) and Jose Maria Olazabal (four over).

“Then there’s the par-five fourth hole at 685 yards, and it’s a hole you can’t hammer in two. But it was just nice not to drop a shot today and that will be the key this week.

“As for the game, it’s been a very frustrating period but one of these weeks it has to fall back into place and hopefully this could be the week. The weather at home hasn’t been very good, about minus one or minus two degrees, but I have been out every day chipping balls.”

And fellow Irishman Damien McGrane was also off to a good start with a four-under-par 68. Dublin’s Peter Lawrie carded a 73 and Waterville’s David Higgins a 74.