Clarke laments 'terrible round'

Ireland's Darren Clarke declared himself “totally disgusted” by an opening 75, which included three bogeys in the last five holes at Royal St George’s.

Ireland's Darren Clarke declared himself “totally disgusted” by an opening 75 at the Open, which included three bogeys in the last five holes at Royal St George’s.

“I’ve been struggling all week and it certainly didn’t get any better,” said the Dungannon man, out-scored by six by playing partner Davis Love III.

“I hardly hit a good shot. I was just terrible.”

Clarke was joint second in the Scottish Open on Sunday with Ryder Cup team-mate Phillip Price, who having won the European Open the previous week came to Sandwich with much higher hopes than for his previous six Opens.

But Price managed only a 74 himself, his only birdie coming on the long 14th.

Love, who spent time in Northern Ireland last week playing some links golf, would have shared the early clubhouse lead but for a closing bogey – his only one of the day.

“I played real well,” said the 39-year-old, three times a winner on the US Tour this year.

“I normally get a bit fast in the wind, but I was pretty steady and am happy with that. Anything under par is a good round.”