Darren Clarke takes clubhouse lead as Tom Lewis slips back

Darren Clarke shot a second successive 68 to take the clubhouse lead on -4 at Royal St George’s.

The Northern Irishman’s second round had a bit of everything, including a double bogey at the 4th and an eagle at the 7th. He made five birdies including a delightful approach and putt that brought the fans around the 18th green to their feet.

Clarke is tied for the lead with Lucas Glover, who followed yesterday’s 66 with a level par 70 today.

“It was a little bit more adventerous today than yesterday,” said Clarke. “There was some good and some not so good,but overall 68 is very pleasing.”

The 42-year-old is in a confident and jovial mood but is fully aware of the challenges that he, and all the players, will be facing over the weekend.

“There’s an awful long way to go yet, and I believe the forecast for the weekend is very, very poor, which I quite look forward to. But the course is going to play very, very tough.

“If that’s the case then the tournament is still wide open for an awful lot of players.”

Overnight leader Tom Lewis battled solidly today but had to settle for a 74 that sees him slip to -1 for the tournament.

The 20-year-old English amateur only had one birdie all day and had a disappointing bogey, bogey finish.

Major champions Martin Kaymer (69) and Charl Schwartzel (67) are lurking dangerously one and two shots off the lead respectively.

The highlight of the day so far was Tom Watson’s magnificent hole-in-one at the 6th.