Clarke moves into contention
by Richard Field, 16 May 2008
Darren Clarke shot a three-under 69 to haul himself up the leaderboard in the second round of the Irish Open.
The Asian Open winner, began the day in 30th place, but he made his intentions clear when a dropped shot at his second hole was followed by four birdies to reach the turn in 33 strokes.
Clarke bogeyed the third before a four at the par-five ninth took the Irishman to three-under for the tournament.
Playing partner Paul McGinley who described the Adare Manor course as a "monster" following his opening round, also shot a 69 to trail the clubhouse halfway leader Michael Lorenzo-Vera by four shots.
The 23-year-old Frenchman carded a 70 to reach six-under and lead German Marcel Siem [71] by a stroke.
Last year's runner-up Bradley Dredge [73] briefly moved to the top of the proceedings with a birdie at the first to reach seven-under, but four bogeys in the next seven holes dropped the Welshman to three-under.
Rory McIlroy, amongst the later starters, birdied the final hole to card an even-par 72 to trail Lorenzo-Vera by four shots.
Lee Westwood shot a blemish-free two-under-par 70 which will be enough to guarantee a weekend's work at one-over.
Damien McGrane [72] is four-over and currently set to miss the cut by a stroke.
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