Clarke takes the lead, Mickelson goes home
Darren Clarke has taken the lead in the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond. Despite a dismal rainy day, Clarke played an almost flawless game and opened up a big lead.
Clarke reached the halfway point in 10-under 132. He shot a 4-under 67 that put him four shots ahead of competitors Bradley Dredge and Peter Hedblom. The North Ireland golfer is living up to the high standards of fellow countrymen Graeme McDowell who won the US Open at Pebble Beach, and Rory Mcllroy.
“Everything off the course is going very well for me,” Clarke said. In 2006 his wife Heather died from breast cancer, leaving Clarke to raise their two young sons. Clarke has had a rough couple of years but is optimistic about his future in golf, as well as his personal life.
“I'm just moving on with my life in a direction which I can't wait to keep going. I have a wonderful girlfriend and off the course I can't really ask for more.”
Clarke, 41, entered the competition on a high note. He won the JP McManus Invitational Pro-am in Ireland at the prestigious Adare Manor on Tuesday. The invitational is organized by Irish billionaire JP McManus and raises money for Irish charities.
At Loch Lomond Clarke had five birdies and one bogey. He is hoping to qualify for the one remaining spot at the British Open. The winner of the Scottish Open receives a purse of £3,000,000 and a berth at the famous open at the home of golf, St Andrews.
Phil Mickelson is not happy with his game. The 40-year-old missed the cut after he shot a 74 and took three tee shots to get to the fairway on the 18th hole. He walked away from the tournament, which concludes Sunday, with two birdies. His dreams of reaching No.1 in the rankings won’t be coming true this tournament. Tiger Woods holds onto that spot for a little longer.
Mickelson needed a top-two finish in order to surpass Woods. The current No.2 and Masters champion has never held the title of No.1, though he has had several chances at it this year. Once again it looks like Mickelson won’t be breaking the record. Although he had previously stated earning the title wasn’t his priority this week, it has to be a disappointment missing yet another opportunity.
Mickelson arrived at the 18th hole on level par. The 455 yard hole was not kind to him, and he walked away five over and 12 shots behind Clarke’s lead. He also blasted a drive into the water twice.
TV commentator, and former Scottish Open winner Wayne Riley told Mickelson his second water ball was playable. Mickelson failed to record the third drive to be a provisional and so under the rules of golf he had to play it.
Mickelson has been playing very well this season and is on the verge of a breakthrough in his career. But he keeps missing chances to get there. Mickelson will play the British Open at St Andrews next week, and technically still has a shot at stealing Woods’ title.
However Woods is also playing in the tournament which he has twice won in the past. In 2000 Woods won by eight strokes and then in 2005 he won by five.
In 2005, Woods was at the height of his career, and many are speculating about whether he can live up to his former glory next week. St Andrews is a very good place for a comeback, and Woods has always fared well on the course. Woods's aura of greatness has significantly diminished as of late, especially after placing 46th at the AT&T National last week. Still his presence on the course next week will be intimidating, and Mickelson will have to play over that distraction.
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