Golf: Clarke blows Heritage field away on windy day

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, South Carolina - British golfer Darren Clarke fired a sizzling second round six-under-par 65 to take a six-stroke lead at the Heritage Classic in Hilton Head today.

It was the second consecutive day Clarke had signed for a 65 but his effort today was the more impressive as gusting, swirling winds whipped across the Harbour Town Golf Links allowing only 24 players to break par.

Clarke was imperious on the narrow fairways and small greens, splitting six birdies evenly on the front and back nine to leave him at 12-under 130, six shots clear of American Patrick Sheehan and first-round leader Peter Lonard, of Australia.

It is the largest 36-hole lead in the US$5.2 million ($7.29 million) event's history.

"I played well yesterday but I think I probably hit the ball better today than yesterday," said Clarke, as he lit up a trademark cigar to celebrate.

"Conditions are pretty tough but I drove the ball well and if you drive the ball well and get it in the fairway you're going to give yourself chances."

New Zealand's Craig Perks strung together successive rounds of 74 to miss the cut by one shot.

Lonard, who scorched Harbour Town for 11 birdies on the way to an opening round 62, had just four in his second round and mixed them with seven bogeys, as he battled to three-over 74.

"It's not discouraging, I just didn't drive it good," Lonard said.

"I feel like if I go out to the range and sort my driver out and drive it a good bit tomorrow, I'll be back in with the show.

"Putting was all right. I didn't kill anyone. It was pretty good. I obviously didn't hole as many putts as I did yesterday, but I hit a lot of good putts."

Sheehan was one of the handful to break par, finishing with a one-under 70 while fourth-placed Frenchman Thomas Levet also struggled in the difficult conditions to shoot 74.

Rod Pampling, coming off a fifth place at the Masters, continued his superb form with a two-under 69 to join fellow Australian Nick O'Hern and Americans Jim Furyk, Cameron Beckman, Jimmy Walker, Woody Austin and five-time champion Davis Love on 139, nine shots off the lead.

Former US Open winner Tom Kite was disqualified for the first time in his 34-year career after signing an incorrect scorecard.

- REUTERS