Darren Clarke began the week at La Costa Resort and Spa talking about his new found confidence and gave the clearest example of it yet in the second round of the World Golf Championships – Accenture Match Play with a thumping 7 and 6 victory over Davis Love III.
The 34 year old Ulsterman’s superb showing headlined the European Tour challenge on a day when a 50 per cent return was posted on the boards, with five Members living to fight another day while five more packed their bags for home.
Alongside Clarke, the men who moved into the last 16 were Germany’s Alex Cejka and the Australian trio of Stephen Leaney, Peter Lonard and Adam Scott while Angel Cabrera, Niclas Fasth, Padraig Harrington, Eduardo Romero and Justin Rose took their respective €55,622 (£37,821) cheques after checking out.
There were no such concerns for Clarke however, the 2000 champion being in imperious form against an out-of-sorts Love III who, the Irishman generously admitted, did not receive any luck either on a day peppered by thumping rain showers.
“I played very nicely to begin with and I got a few up on Davis,” said Clarke. “I had a few poor shots but got away with them while Davis got none. When that happened, he had to try and force things and in the end it just didn’t happen for him.
“But I played well and I am feeling very confident. Before I went to play in Torrey Pines, I went to see Butch (Harmon) for a couple of days and made a couple of alterations to my swing.
“I also went to TaylorMade for a couple of days as well and now I’ve got a driver that I’m hitting it further than I think I’ve ever done before. With those changes, and with a new caddie on the bag as well, I feel it’s just a fresh start for me so everything is working out very well.”
Clarke now faces Jim Furyk who was almost as impressive in beating Steve Lowery 6 and 5 and if both players maintain that sort of form, their match should be one of the best of the tournament to date.
Joining Clarke in the third round was Germany’s Alex Cejka, who maintained the form which saw him beat Colin Montgomerie in the first round, when he removed another European Tour Member Angel Cabrera by 4 and 2.
“I am very happy with the way I played today especially my ball striking,” said the winner of last year’s Trophée Lancôme, who will now face the 2001 US PGA Champion David Toms, who beat Chris Riley on the last green.
“I am a sunshine player to be honest but for me the rain today was quite normal because it is like the weather I have been used to over the past two years in Europe. It was a good match, we both had spells where we hit some good shots but I was putting a little better, that was the difference in the end.”
Another big winner for the European Tour contingent was Stephen Leaney, who was instantly control against former Open Golf champion Justin Leonard, taking the first four holes before running out a comfortable 6 and 5 winner.
The Australian, who booked his place in the event with his second place finish in the Johnnie Walker Classic, now has the unenviable task of facing World Number One Tiger Woods, who brushed aside Korea’s KJ Choi 5 and 3 and has still make a bogey in the event.
“When I arrived here and saw the draw I knew if I won my first two matches, I would be playing Tiger and here were are,” said Leaney. “Obviously I will have to be at my very best to stand any chance but I will try my very best.”
The good day for the Australian contingent in the field continued when Peter Lonard and Adam Scott both moved into the last 16, Lonard beating Phil Tataurangi, the conqueror of Ernie Els in the first round, by 5 and 4, while Scott ousted Rocco Mediate on the last green.
Lonard will now face another Australian in the shape of Robert Allenby, while Scott comes up against defending champion Kevin Sutherland, who continued to be the scourge of the European Tour contingent, following up his first day victory over Sergio Garcia, with a last hole win over Justin Rose.
Scott said: “I played with Kevin in the first two rounds at Augusta last year so I got to watch him a lot then. I remember he has a great short game which he showed last year here obviously as well as in the first couple of rounds this year so it will be a good match.”
Lonard admitted he was still coming to terms with the differing demands of match play golf as opposed to stroke play.
“I’d only played one match play tournament before in my life before I got here so this is totally new to me,” he said. “My brain is absolutely frazzled trying to think what I should be doing, but we’ve managed to bumble through so far!
“It is totally different to normal mentally. Today I thought to myself I am just going to play the course but then after three or four holes I found myself back playing the player again.
“It does play on your mind and it something I still have to get used to. I’m enjoying the challenge, it is a little confusing at times, wouldn’t like to play it every week, but it is interesting to play golf in a different manner to the norm, where you have to think differently over different shots, it’s refreshing.”
While there was joy for the Australians, there was disappointment for Padraig Harrington, who lost 3 and 2 to Scott Hoch, for Niclas Fasth, who lost 2 and 1 to Nick Price, and for Eduardo Romero, who lost 3 and 1 to Toshi Izawa.
