Clarke in charge

Darren Clarke took a two-stroke lead into the final nine holes of the Compass Group English Open at the rain-soaked Forest of Arden today.

In conditions which were close to unplayable at times, Clarke - winner two of the last three years - managed to go the turn in 35 and so stood 14 under par.

France’s Raphael Jacquelin, who shared the overnight pace, was out in 37 and was in joint second place with Dane Soren Hansen.

Local hope Steve Webster was part of a four-way tie for the lead until he was two bunkers for a bogey six on the long seventh and then four-putted the 166-yard eighth for a double-bogey five.

Another dropped shot on the difficult 476-yard ninth - he was still short of the green after two drivers - left Webster five behind.

Justin Rose’s 38 for the front nine appeared to have ended his hopes of a second successive victory and fifth of the season. He was six adrift.

But Sandy Lyle and Ryder Cup captain Sam Torrance still had an outside chance at 10 under with six and seven holes to go respectively.