Darren Clarke vaults into Target Challenge lead

Darren Clarke overcame an opening misstep for a near-record round.

Clarke fired and 8-under-par 64 - one stroke off the course record - to take a one-shot lead after Saturday's third round of the $5.5 million Target World Challenge.

Starting the day three strokes behind Michael Campbell, Clarke opened with a bogey but rebounded to overtake the reigning U.S. Open champion and Padraig Harrington at 14-under 202. His round included two eagles and five birdies

"I played pretty well after making bogey at No. 1 and gave myself a lot of chances," Clarke said. "I got another couple of eagles today, (which) covers up a few mistakes."

After his opening bogey, Clarke responded with a birdie at No. 2. He then fired an eagle at the par-5 fifth followed by another birdie at No. 6.

His second eagle came at the par-5 11th and he closed his round with birdies at three of his last six holes, including 18 to take the lead.

Clarke attributed his success this week to a "Lack of beer, if you want to know the truth. I could give you a diplomatic answer, but I prefer to give you the truth."

The Northern Ireland native explained that this week usually is one of rest and relaxation. Even when he plays in this exclusive event, he enjoys it "more off the course than on the course."

However, Clarke opened with a 65 on Thursday that "wrecked my plans for the whole week."

Campbell started with back-to-back birdies en route to a 68 that moved him to 203. However, that was not good enough to hold off Clarke.

"(On Friday), I played them (17 and 18) in 10 shots and today I played them in five shots," Campbell said. "It would have been nice to have that finish yesterday. I wanted to get close. I knew that Darren was playing well, and I didn't want Darren to get too far away from me."

Harrington also birdied 18 and signed for a 65. Kenny Perry is alone in fourth at 11-under 205 after carding a 66.

"It can be quite a frustrating golf course," Harrington said. "One of my strengths is to stay patient, and that's probably why I have performed well here in the past."

Tournament host Tiger Woods had his best round with a 3-under 69 but is 11 shots off the pace and is in jeopardy of finishing worse than first or second in this event for the first time since 1999.

"Realistically, it's been a long season, and this week I just haven't capitalized on my opportunities," Woods said.

December 11, 2005

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