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Darren Clarke missed out on the International Qualifying at Sunningdale in early June for The Open Championship and has made a top five finish at the Barclay’s Scottish Open this week his objective as it will ensure him a place at St Andrew’s next week.
Clarke posted a four shot lead in the club house on 10 under after a second round 67 in wet conditions at Loch Lomond on a day that Phil Mickelson missed the cut along with Camillo Villegas.
Clarke, one ahead overnight, three-putted the short 11th - his second of the day - but birdied two of the next five holes and then in pouring rain picked up three more shots at the start of the front nine.
They took the 40 year old to ten under par and kept him on course not only for a first victory in two years, but also for a place in next week's Open Championship at St Andrews.
Welshman Bradley Dredge and Swede Peter Hedblom were in the clubhouse on six under and they were joined in second place when Italian Edoardo Molinari, whose brother Francesco was also going well, birdied the fourth hole of his second round.
Clarke said of his round:
"That was more satisfying than yesterday because it was tougher. We were all surprised that there was no placing and the course was playing brutally long. It was one of those days where you've got to take what the course was giving you and grind out a score.
"It's two rounds now and I've consolidated my position. I'm going into the weekend probably a little bit nervous, but excited at the same time."
