NEWS
Clarke captures crown at McManus Invitational, by a shot over Donald
By PA Sport
Published on
Darren Clarke shot a second round of 68 Tuesday to secure victory in the J.P. McManus Invitational Pro-Am at Adare Manor.
The Northern Irishman was lying two shots off a four-way tie for the lead after the first of two rounds in the charity event on Monday. But the 41-year-old came alive after the halfway point of the contest, going 4 under on Tuesday to finish with a 2-under 142 total.
Clarke last won a European Tour event two years ago and this success wonât end that wait, although he did beat a host of the world's top players to claim the title.
Luke Donald, who was also 1 over after the first round, carded 69 on Tuesday to finish one behind Clarke on the final leaderboard. Another player who had shot an opening round of 73 -- two-time Open winner Ernie Els -- completed the course in 70 on Tuesday to tie for third with Shane Lowry.
Newly crowned U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell recovered from a sluggish first round with a fine effort of 69 to finish tied for fourth place on even par.
Jim Furyk, who was tied for the lead after Round 1, was one shot further back after a second round of 74 as all four of the halfway pacesetters faded away.
Tiger Woods bounced back from an awful first round of 79 to eventually finish only 4 over, and in-form Englishman Justin Rose also went under par on Tuesday after a dismal opening effort, shooting 71 to end the tournament 7 over.