Clarke leads in Land of the Rising Sun

Darren Clarke claimed the outright lead in the Taiheiyo Masters in Shizuoka, Japan, after a second-round 65 put him two clear of local favourite Shingo Katayama on 13 under.

The Irishman picked up where he left off after yesterday’s 66 on the Gotemba Course at the Taiheiyo Club near Mount Fuji with a seven-under-par round which included eagles on the par-five sixth and 11th holes and three birdies.

Clarke’s Ryder Cup team-mate Lee Westwood consolidated his position with a round of 69 to be tied sixth on seven under, while another Irishman, Graeme McDowell, is one shot further back after a second successive 69.