Clarke cruising to victory in Carolina

Darren Clarke stormed into a six-shot lead at the MCI Heritage in South Carolina after a second successive 65.

The Irishman began the day in third, three behind Australian Peter Lonard, but a flawless round of six birdies put him into a comfortable lead at the Harbour Town Golf Links.

Starting at the 10th he played his first five holes in regulation but then picked up three birdies in four holes to reach the turn in 32.

The 571-yard 15th signalled the start of his change in fortune and he maintained his charge on his back nine.

The par-four first brought another birdie after a marvellous pitch to three inches and he picked up another shot at the next, the first of two par-fives on the course’s front nine.

At the fifth, Clarke he was just short of the green in two but he two-putted from the fringe for another birdie.

He escaped with a par four at his last, the 332-yard ninth, after flying the green but getting up and down from the rough.

“I played nicely for two days and knocked a few putts in whenever I have to and I am pleased to be 12 under,” said Clarke.

“I worked really hard on my swing on Sunday (the final day of the Masters) and got a good feeling there and so far it appears to be working well.

“I just I hope I can keep doing it over the weekend.”

On his philosophy for the weekend the Ryder Cup star said: “Just keep going, doing what I am doing and trying to make as many birdies as I can.”

Clarke leads from Lonard, who unlike yesterday had more bogeys than birdies in a round of 74 which dropped him back to six under.

Ryder Cup team-mate Thomas Levet also shot a three-over 74 but still managed to stay in touch in fourth place at four under.