Darren Clarke has stormed into the lead in the European Open albeit with a generous amount of luck at the sixth hole.
Clarke started the day on nine-under but quickly moved to 13-under for the outright lead by two with three successive birdies from the fourth and two more at the eighth and ninth.However, he did bogey the seventh.
The three on six was the most extraordinary birdie considering his approach was horrendous. Clarke pulled it big and left of the green and was destined for thick rough before it bounced off a mature tree and back on to the green to six feet.
He duly went on to hole the putt and it is luck like this which often indicates it is your day. If so, it may be time for Clarke to step forward here at the K-Club.
The US Open champion, Retief Goosen, made a charging run at the leaders with a 66 to get to within two of the leaders at 10-under.
The bogey-free round was helped by a run of five birdies from the 12th and just the one on the front nine, which came at the fourth.
"I’m pleased with my round but I don’t think I need to stick around as the leaders are too far ahead," remarked Goosen after his round.
Padraig Harrington, the bookies favourite, has had to remain patient as his charge has failed to materialise as yet.
The Dubliner parred the first seven holes to remain on 10-under, three off the pace.