Clarke snatches lead in Shanghai

BEIJING, April 27 -- Darren Clarke birdied the 18th hole to snare a one-stroke lead after day three of the 2.3 million U.S. dollars Asian Open at Tomson Pudong in Shanghai yesterday.

The former Ryder Cup player from Northern Ireland posted a bogey-free five-under 67 for a nine-under total of 207, to lead Dutchman Robert-Jan Derksen by the slenderest of margins.

Derksen fired a three-under 69 to finish a stroke above Briton Robert Dinwiddie, who fired a sparkling best-of-week 66 to rise to outright third, two strokes ahead of Chinese Taipei's Lin Wen-tang.

"I played really, really well today. I was very pleased with the way I hit the ball," a beaming Clarke told reporters.

Clarke, chasing his first European Tour win since the WGC-NEC International in Ohio in 2003, holed five evenly spaced birdies but could have had more.

"I missed twice from three foot for birdies on the two par fives (9th and 13th)...I would have liked to have shot lower and gave myself enough opportunities but I am not going to complain," Clarke, making his first appearance in China, said.

Derksen, a two-time winner but not since 2005, kept himself in the hunt with a five-birdie round. The Dutchman said a bogey save on the par three 14th hole after he found water off the tee kept him in the tournament.

"That up and down from the dropping zone was important to keep myself going. That was a good safe for a four," said the 34-year-old.

Dinwiddie soared into contention after a hot streak of five birdies in six holes on the back nine, with a double-bogey on the seventh the only blemish on his card.

"I putted very, very well for those last 10 holes and pretty much one-putted every green," said the 25-year-old, chasing his first European Tour win.

Lin charged out of the blocks with three birdies on his first three holes, then finished strongly with consecutive birdies on the 16th and 17th after stumbling with a double-bogey on the 10th.

Lin's seven-birdie three-under 69 gave him a two-stroke advantage over a clutch of players tied for fourth on 213, including China's Hu Mu, first-round leader Australian Peter O'Malley and India's Digvijay Singh, who fired a sparkling 5-under 67.

Amateur Hu surged with an eagle on the par four 17th.

The teenager, touted as China's next great hope in golf, took time to settle his nerves despite an opening birdie but enjoyed playing in front of the large Chinese crowds. "I didn't know what to think or do before the round. But when I got onto the course, I calmed down. I'm still in the top 10 and hopefully I can shoot another under par or even round tomorrow to stay there."

Overnight leader Zhang Lianwei of China fell out of contention with a bogey-littered four-over 76, and trailed Clarke by eight, as did compatriot and China No. 1 Liang Wenchong, who shot a one-over 73.

Twice U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen trailed by seven strokes after carding an even-par 72.

Former world No. 1 Greg Norman of Australia was three further adrift after posting a one-over par 73.

(Source: Shanghai Daily/Agencies)