Some days, you take what you're given, and head for the locker-room, or the putting green, or wherever it is that you find sanctuary

In a previous golfing life, after a day like this one, the storm clouds would have gathered around Darren Clarke's head - but not in this new life, where he has discovered that patience really is a virtue.

For much of yesterday's opening round in the Players Championship, Clarke played beautifully. Well, from tee to green he did. However, his reward on the greens was scant. Time after time, he gave himself birdie chances - particularly on his front nine, the course's back nine - but time after time the ball grazed the cup, and stubbornly refused to dive in.

In the end, Clarke signed for a one-under-par 71; not bad - and actually his best opening round in this championship in six appearances - but, he knew, it could have been so much better. Ironically, given that he has spent so much time working with Bob Rotella on his putting, it was the blade, the most frequently used club in his bag, that let him down. He used it 33 times.

Clarke, though, was not despondent. Indeed, he could walk off the course with a good memory of a 10-footer on the last, which salvaged par.

"As well as I'd played all day, if I'd walked off shooting level par I'd have been pretty disappointed," he admitted.

His new putting stance and stroke, worked out with Rotella, mean you're in danger of missing Clarke make the stroke if you blink. Rotella told him that he has to "love his putter, and his wedge", but the speed of the stroke - once he has decided on pace and line - is designed to eradicate any negative thoughts.

"You know, I hit a lot of really good putts out there. I burned the edges all day, and you can't do more than that. I just hope as the week progresses that my feel will improve that little bit more. As opposed to burning the edges, I might knock some in. I didn't putt badly, I just didn't hole the opportunities that I gave myself. In saying that, these greens, as fast as they are, and as subtle as they are, it is a hard thing for anything other than a perfect putt to go in."

Clarke was happy nonetheless with the putting: "Everything's very good. I've put in a lot of time with Bob Rotella and I'm committed to making changes. When I'm playing well, or hitting it the way I am at the moment, it is quite easy to stay patient.

"The more challenging times will be when I am not hitting it quite so well. With putts around here, you have got to get the speed and the break right, and breaks are not always obvious.

"On this golf course, you can get rewarded for hitting really goof shots but you can also not get rewarded for hitting really good shots. This course sometimes doesn't give you the scores that you might deserve. It is one of the most mentally challenging courses that we play anywhere. One poor shot and you're staring at a double bogey straightaway."

His mind-set and demeanour reflect that new discovery. No longer is he charging up the fairway, or racing to the green. There is a more controlled gait on the course.

"I'm being very patient," he admitted. "I've waited for things to happen which possibly in the past you may have noticed I may not have been so good at doing."

A big electrical storm greeted Clarke when he woke at five yesterday, and so mesmerised was he that he eventually ventured out to stand by the swimming pool for a better view.

Once on the course, though, it was more a time for patience. Clarke's first putt - from marginally off the green on the 10th - shaved the hole, and set the trend for the round. Still, he has put himself into position to make a genuine challenge over the next three rounds. Now, if only the putter can heat up.