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Clarke one off lead at USPGA

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Darren Clarke
Darren Clarke could be about to give Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie a selection headache if he continues his early good form at the USPGA Championship.

The Dungannon man will resume play on Friday only one off the lead at Whistling Straits.

Clarke, who turns 42 on Saturday, is still on his first round, and his first shot when play gets under way again at 0700 local time (1300 BST) will be a 30-foot par attempt on the 14th hole.

Over three hours were lost to fog on Friday morning and only half the 156-strong field completed their scheduled 18 holes before nightfall.

Six years ago Clarke was the first-round leader with a 65 and he said: "It is always nice to come back to where you have played well on before.

"It's a lot different to then though as it is softer and the greens are holding.

"I didn't get myself into any pain off the tee. The only hole I played badly was that last one there in the dark and to hole a 30-footer for par is a big ask."

Montgomerie is well aware that if Clarke climbs into a qualifying spot he wants to play and not be an assistant.

That would leave the Scot needing to find a replacement in a hurry.

Montgomerie is also playing in Wisconsin, but from one under after four he fell back to five over after 14.

Rory McIlroy though went in the opposite direction.

Three over after four, the 21-year-old recovered to one under after 13 before his first day's play was ended by bad light.

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