CLARKE'S BIRTHDAY BLUES.

Byline: Ken Lawrence

DARREN CLARKE has found it difficult to be cheerful for a long time now.

Yesterday it didn't get any better - even if it was his birthday.

Not only did he miss the cut by a long way but he carried other baggage to the airport.

Three years ago last Sunday his wife Heather passed away and the pain of losing her to cancer remains tough to baree especially when his game is nowhere near the level that once suggested Northern Ireland might well have a multiMajor winner to boast of. The hurt was only too clear to see in his eyes as he said: "Its been a tough week for me, in more ways than one."

There would have been an element of gladness in his heart, other than the 41st birthday wishes sent by his sons, had he been able to recover from his bad start of Thursday.

Instead he only compounded it. A 78 was followed by a 76 and the 10over total that left him cursing his current fate. He said: "I thought there might be some light at the end of the tunnel last week at Akron where I played nicely and finished tied 22nd.

"It wasn't much, but it might have been a start."

It was, however, a false dawn and he added: "I am hitting the ball nicely on the practice ground on a Tuesday and a Wednesday.

"But when it comes to the Thursday I just can't bring that swing to the course.

"It's so very frustrating and today I didn't even get the ball close with a couple of short wedges. That is just not good enough. It means that a difficult course only gets a lot harder."

Things went better, however, for Ian Poulter on what rapidly became clear was going to be a tough day for just about everyone.

Unlike Clarke, he had fun with his putter and followed up a 72 with a 70 while many others discovered the dark side of Hazeltine.

He registered five birdies to put himself well in touch, indicating yet again that if he can find consistency he really can become a real Major threat.

CAPTION(S):

MISSED CUT: Clarke