Clarke finishes with a flourish

Defending champion Darren Clarke was more at ease with his game today to card a 67 for one-under with a birdie-eagle finish.

"To finish under-par after the troubles I had yesterday isn't too bad. I was trying to give myself a realistic chance of defending the title but I wasn't able to do it. I stood a bit closer to the ball today and I covered the last 10 holes in six-under-par, which is OK.

"A lot of good things and a lot of bad things have happened to me here - more good than bad. My game is not firing on all cylinders but it's not far away," he remarked.

Eamon Darcy signed off his 31 years on the European Tour with a 69 for a tournament total of one-over-par 289 after birding the last hole.

"I missed an eagle at the 18th from 10 feet. It would have been nice to get it as that would have brought me back to level but I managed to stay on the fairway today. It was tough all week - the greens were tough. I always feel that if I can make a few putts I can do OK.

"Now I'm hoping to get a few invitations into seniors' tournaments in America but if I don't I'll play a few in Europe before going to the US Seniors' Tour School in November," explained the Druid's Glen man who will be 50 next month.

Pleased with his four days work is Gary Murphy who only got into the championship on Monday. He closed with a 70 for one-over.

"It was fabulous to get the invitation and it was a nice way to finish but it could have been better. I played well today and it was nice to finish with a birdie," he reflected.

Not so happy was Ashbourne Club pro John Dwyer who handed in a 78 to be 11over-par for the 72 holes.

"I had a completely mixed week. I came into the weekend feeling confident and with nothing to lose. But I felt tired and had a lot of tired swings.

However, it was fantastic to make the cut for the first time," said Dwyer.

CLUBHOUSE SCORES

287 - D Clarke 67

289 - G Murphy 70; E Darcy 69.

299 - J Dwyer 78.

P Harrington - -7 after 64 holes.