Darren Clarke five shots short of leaders at Australian PGA Championship
Darren Clarke is just five shots down the leaders, who happen to be China’s Zhang Xin Jun, whose fiery five-under 67 shook all other competition to the core.
A few bogeys on the 16th and 18th holes, however, kept him from scorching to the first place. He is currently tied at the second with Daniel Popovic.
Zhang has had a great tournament and he looks to be going from strength to strength. He spoke to the crowd after the blitz he worked up in the latest round.
Speaking through an interpreter, he said, "I've been surprised by my putting, I needed just 22 putts which is my best-ever putting round, I really like the greens here".
His play here at the Palmer Coolum Resort has been world-class, top-of-the-line with seven birdies all before his 16th hole.
"With my approach shots I'm just trying to visualize them, to think about the shot and hit it, so far it’s working".
Daniel Popovic cannot believe how his luck seems to be holding this tournament.
"I'm stoked, I can't get the smile off my face actually," Popovic said. "It's an unbelievable experience, I can't even explain it, I'm lost for words explaining it".
Geoff Ogilvy, another possible contender to the top prize said he did enjoy playing the morning of the round, adding he felt he let slip a few birdies he could have had on the front nine, but recovered on the last nine.
Darren Clarke is trailing by five shots. If he lets the small gap turn to a leap, he will be forced to take it if he hopes to be making the top three. If he does not act now with a few strokes of aggressive golf, it may as well be too late.
The North Irishman’s golf here at the Sunshine Coast has had its ups and downs. There ought to be some better golf from Northern Ireland’s third major winner in 13 months.
Graeme McDowell had done his in 2010 and Rory McIlroy, current world no. 1, in 2011. His victory had McIlroy call him Clarke the ‘Golf Capital of the World’.
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