Decent Debut: Darren Clarke makes positive start to senior career

Darren Clarke made an solid start to his senior career as a four-under-par 68 left him three off the pace at the Boeing Classic in the US.

By The Newsroom

Published 26th Aug 2018, 01:09 BST

Updated 3rd Sep 2018, 12:17 BST

The Northern Irishman, who turned 50 on 14 August, dropped only one shot in a five-birdie round at the Champions Tour event in Snoqualmie Ridge near Seattle.

US players Kent Jones, Scott Parel and Tom Pernice Jr lead after firing 65s.

Clarke's round left him sharing 11th place in a group which includes Bernhard Langer and Jesper Parnevik.

The Dungannon native started his round with a birdie and another gain left him two under at the turn.

After bogeying the 13th, Clarke produced a strong finish as he birdied three of his final four holes - including a four at the par-five 18th.

Recent Senior Open winner Miguel Angel Jimenez is sharing seventh spot after a 67 with England's Paul Broadhurst in the group including Couples on 71 and Scotland's Colin Montgomerie eight off the pace after a 73.