Golf:Darren Clarke will not only have to battle the in-form Edoardo Molinari but also the elements as he bids to land a first European Tour title since 2008. Strong winds and heavy rain made Loch Lomond a fearsome test when the final round of the Scottish Open began.
After making birdies at the first three holes Spaniard Alejandro Canizares, lying joint second, dropped eight shots in the next five holes to plunge to nine over par.
And playing partner Richard McEvoy took eight at the long sixth and was eight over for the day as he approached the turn.
It all seemed a world away from the eight under par 63, one outside the course record, that yesterday took Italian Molinari (15-under) into a one-stroke lead over Clarke.
It looked a straight fight between them for the title and €600,000 first prize with Molinari’s younger brother Francesco and Swede Peter Hedblom seven shots behind in joint third.
The two Turin golfers were playing partners in the last group with Clarke. They take to the course shortly before 1pm.