Clarke extends lead at Taiheiyo Masters

Darren Clarke moved into a four-shot lead after the third round of the Taiheiyo Masters in Shizuoka, Japan.

The Ulsterman’s 67 at the Gotemba Course at the Taiheiyo Club near Mount Fuji kept him well clear of the field on 18 under overall despite Nozomi Kawahara’s charge into second place on 14 under following a round of 66.

Clarke’s five-under round included three birdies on the outward nine and another at the 11th before a bogey at the 12th was redressed by further birdies at the 16th and last.

Clarke’s Ryder Cup team-mate Lee Westwood consolidated his position with a round of 67 to be tied in third place on 12 under with Taiwan’s Wei-Tze Yeh, who carded a 69.

Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell is two shots further back on 10 under after his 68.