Golf: Clarke leads at Spanish Open

Following a scintillating start yesterday by birdieing the first six holes, Darren Clarke has taken over leadership of the Spanish Open.

Resuming on his overnight position of five under, Clarke started with a par on the first but then moved to within two of the lead with a birdie at the par-four second.

Meanwhile Jay Lomas, with only one Tour victory to his name, picked up further shots at the 11th and 13th to put him to six under.

However Ian Garbutt, who had at one stage reached six under himself, fell away with a back nine of 39 for a round of 74.

He was however still two under for the tournament and virtually assured of a place in the final two rounds.

Clarke went through the opening eight holes in 31, and is threatening to do further damage as the day progresses.

At 2:40pm Irish time, the leaderboard read:

1 CLARKE, Darren NIR -10 9

2 OLDCORN, Andrew SCO -9 4

T3 KARLSSON, Robert SWE -8 18

T3 SANDELIN, Jarmo SWE -8 18

T3 PETTERSSON, Carl SWE -8 18

T6 COLTART, Andrew SCO -7 18

T6 REMESY, Jean-Francois FRA -7 7