Golf

Clarke misses the party but makes lots of eagles

By wire services
Published December 11, 2005

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - Darren Clarke usually brings up the rear at the Target World Challenge in a week in which his best times are off the course. But when he opened with 65 to get into contention, that changed his outlook, not to mention his nightlife.

No more carousing into the wee hours. Serious work on the practice range before his round.

The tradeoff was a one-shot lead going into today's final round, courtesy of 8-under 64 on Saturday after Clarke continued his assault on the par 5s at Sherwood Country Club.

"I do enjoy the tournament, much more off the course than on the golf course in the past," Clarke said. "Unfortunately, when I got off to that 65 on Thursday, my week was over."

Clarke made two eagles - that gave five for the week - and played the par 5s in 7 under. That vaulted him into the lead, one shot ahead of U.S. Open champion Michael Campbell and Padraig Harrington.

In two previous trips to Sherwood, Clarke had not broken 70.

When he headed to the first tee for the final round a year ago - first off, naturally - the starter had barely mentioned his first name when Clarke had a ball in the air.

Why the turnaround?

"Lack of beer, if you want to know the truth," Clarke said. "Usually, this week for me is a party week, but the scoring is getting in the way."

Campbell, who had led since his opening 63, fell out of the lead with a three-putt bogey on the par-5 13th. He birdied the last two holes for 68 and was tied with Harrington (65) at 203.

Kenny Perry had a bogey-free 66 and was at 11-under 205.

Tournament host Tiger Woods continued to struggle, and 69 left him 11 shots behind.

DUNHILL CHAMPIONSHIP: Ulrich van den Berg shot 7-under 65 to take a two-stroke lead over Ernie Els after three rounds of the joint-sanctioned European and South African Sunshine tour event at Nelspruit, South Africa. Els (68-206) dropped a shot on the front nine but picked up three birdies on holes 10 to 15. It is Els' second event since knee surgery in July ended his PGA Tour season. Second-round leader Michiel Bothma shot 78-213.

LEXUS CUP: A strong finish from Paula Creamer, who teamed with Natalie Gulbis and birdied 14, 15 and 16, and a match-saving shot from Erica Blasberg on the 18th gave the International team an 8-4 lead over Asia after the fourball format at the weather-delayed event in Singapore. With 12 singles matches remaining, the Internationals need 41/2 points to win.

AUSTRALIAN MASTERS: Second-round leader Nick O'Hern shot 2-under 70 to hold on to a three-shot lead over Robert Allenby (68) at Melbourne. O'Hern, winless since 1999, totaled 16-under 200 on the Huntingdale course. The left-hander shot a course-record 64 Thursday and 66 Friday. Bubba Watson (69) was four strokes back.

[Last modified December 11, 2005, 02:15:36]