Clarke recoveres from shaky start at Open

Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke today overcame a shaky start to maintain his slender lead in the final round of the 140th Open Championship.

More strong winds at Royal St George’s meant none of the early starters had been able to make an impression on the leaderboard by the time Clarke and nearest challenger Dustin Johnson teed off at 2.10pm.

Both players pulled their drives left of the fairway on the opening hole, but Clarke chose not to take a drop away from a metal fence before playing his second shot onto the green.

From 60 feet away the 42-year-old left his birdie putt a good 15ft short of the hole, but after twice backing off as the wind whipped across the course, Clarke holed for par.

That kept him five under par and one ahead of Johnson – who also left his birdie putt short – with Phil Mickelson making the biggest move through the field so far.

The four-time major winner started the day five off the pace, but picked up birdies at the second and fourth – only the second one at the latter all weekend - to move into a share of third at two under par.