Clarke pleased with opening round of 70

Clarke was one of the early starters heading out at 7.40am BST and he enjoyed the calm conditions.

But while the wind was light, it was not in Clarke's favour as he told the BBC's Dougie Donnelly.

"We played the first eight holes into the breeze and then the wind turned around," said Clarke.

"So we played the front nine into whatever wind there was and then we played the back nine into whatever wind there was."

Clarke's only slip-up came when he bogied the third, but thereafter he made three birdies before finishing with a run of six straight pars.

Clarke also had two or three other half chances which he was unable to take advantage of, but he intends to put that right in the coming days.

"I had quite a few other chances for birdies but a couple of hours work this afternoon and maybe they might go in tomorrow," said Clarke.

Email this page to a friend | Return to top of page