FRUSTRATED DARREN PUTTS ON BRAVE FACE

DARREN CLARKE will have a new putter in his bag today after carding an opening 75.

The 2011 Open champion hit 78% of greens in regulation –

34% more than fellow Irishman Padraig Harrington – but 38 putts cost him dear.

Clarke’s five-over round included five bogeys and a double bogey six at the par-four 13th. The straight talking Ulsterman said: “That levels are being stretched, Lowry – who tees off his second round at 3.21pm – said: “They’re being tested really quite a lot at the moment. It’s a hard game sometimes.

“I’m trying my best and I feel like I’ve put in the best week of preparation I’ve put in for a tournament. Coming here, I felt I was playing great in the last few days.

“I’m just not scoring well. I’m not getting an up or down or I’m hitting a good shot to 12 feet and not really threatening the hole. I just have to plug away. I just have to get out on Friday and do my best. It’s a long week and if I can get my score back towards par, I’ll be doing alright.” putter will not be with me tomorrow. it’s very fortunate it’s currently in one piece. Someone will be getting a very nice putter. I actually hit the ball not bad but my putting was a disaster.

“I had five three putts and my putting speed was awful. If you don’t make any putts, that’s what’s going to happen.”