Clarke credits 'lack of beer' for California success

Darren Clarke fired an eight-under-par 64 to take a one-shot lead after the third round of the Target World Challenge in California.

The Ulsterman, starting the day three strokes behind Michael Campbell, opened with a bogey but hit back to overtake the reigning US Open champion and Padraig Harrington with two eagles and five birdies to finish at 14 under on 202.

“I played pretty well after making bogey at the first and gave myself a lot of chances,” Clarke said. “I got another couple of eagles, which covers up a few mistakes.”

After his opening bogey, Clarke responded with a birdie on the second and then fired an eagle at the par-five fifth followed by another birdie on the sixth.

His second eagle came at the par-five 11th and he closed his round with birdies at three of his last six holes, including the last to take the lead.

Clarke attributed his success this week to a “lack of beer”, adding: “I could give you a diplomatic answer, but I prefer to give you the truth.”

He explained that this week is usually one of rest and relaxation and, even when he plays in this exclusive event, he enjoys it “more off the course than on the course”.

But he concluded that after opening with a 65 on Thursday it had “wrecked my plans for the whole week”.

Campbell started with back-to-back birdies in a 68 that moved him to 203 but it was not good enough to hold off Clarke.

Harrington birdied the last and signed for a 65, with Kenny Perry in fourth at 11 under after carding a 66.

“It can be quite a frustrating golf course,” Harrington said. “One of my strengths is to stay patient, and that’s probably why I have performed well here in the past.”

Tournament host Tiger Woods had his best round of the week with a three-under 69 but is 11 shots off the pace and is in jeopardy of finishing worse than first or second in this event for the first time since 1999.

“Realistically, it’s been a long season, and this week I just haven’t capitalised on my opportunities,” he said.