Clarke makes encouraging start in Florida

Darren Clarke has made an encouraging start to the Players Championship in Florida today.

The Irishman kicked off with a birdie at the first, pitching to within three feet of the flag.

Clarke also birdied the long second to be one behind leaders Duffy Waldorf and KJ Choi, who have improved to three under, while Woods remained one over after five.

That looked respectable compared to defending champion Davis Love, who as well as bogeying the first, third and fourth ran up a double bogey seven on the second.

He drove left, took a penalty drop, then went backwards with his third.

That horror opening left him five over par and, a year on from winning by six, last on his own by two strokes.

3 under - Duffy Waldorf (after 8 holes)

KJ Choi (Kor) (6)

2 under – Loren Roberts (4)

Adam Scott (Aus) (5)

Darren Clarke (Irl) (2)

Others:

1 under – Bernhard Langer (Ger) (8)

Alex Cejka (Ger) (7)

Paul Lawrie (Gbr) (5)

Nick Faldo (Gbr) (6)

1 over – Fredrik Jacobson (Swe) (7)

Tiger Woods (5)

Sergio Garcia (Spa) (2)

Paul Casey (Gbr) (1)

2 over – Jesper Parnevik (Swe) (7)

5 over – Davis Love (4)