Clarke resists club dump; Shane's Special K; Rafa's good; Big D's Ryders

Darren Clarke. Picture: Getty Images

Darren Clarke confessed he felt like dumping his clubs in the Liffey after he bogeyed three of his last five holes for a miserable 74

One under with five to go and well inside the top 20, he was furious to bogey the 14th, 15th and 18th following a missed toddler and water trouble.

Clarke fumed: “It was going okay, and then I made stupid mistakes at the end. 

“I missed it from a foot on the 15th hole, just not even thinking. 

“Then I caught one of the heavy rain showers trying to go for the second on 16 and had to lay up.”

Asked how frustrating it felt, Clarke said: ”I felt like throwing half the set of clubs into the Liffey. My score, I just messed up again.

“I don't have any when it comes to my own golf. I have patience for lots of things but not for my own golf.

“Hopefully tomorrow I’ll go out and get my good round.”

It’s Special K for Shane

Shane Lowry is a big fan of bringing the Irish Open back to The K Club — and it’s not just because he can sleep in his own bed.

Lowry said: “It’s in unbelievable condition. I played here two weeks ago and I said, ‘I can’t believe the Irish Open is in three weeks’. They’ve done an unbelievable job here.

“There were decent crowds there for me this morning and they were great. It’s been a great week so far.

“They want the Irish Open on links golf courses. But I think the golf course is great.  This golf course has definitely stood the test of time.

“It’s a great venue. I’d certainly like to see the Irish Open back here – especially as I can go home. I do like it. 

“You don’t have to pack a bag, you don’t have to unpack. You’re not living out of your suitcase for one week. It’s just nice, to have your own stuff."

Spanish star

Rafa Cabrera Bello loves the Irish Open after notching up three top fours in the last five years.

And his good form is no surprise considering Spanish pedigree in the Irish Open.

Seve Ballesteros won in 1983, ’85 and ’86; José Maria Olazábal in 1990 and Sergio Garcia in 1999.

In fact, yesterday was the 21st anniversary of Seve’s 50th and last European Tour win, which came in the 1995 Peugeot Spanish Open.

A bad finish yesterday - double bogey-bogey - cost him a chance to threaten the lead but a 70 still left him in touch on three under.

Pick and mix

Darren Clarke is due to reveal two of his Ryder Cup captains on the eve of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth next week.

But Padraig Harrington won't be named. At least, not yet.

While Harrington said earlier this year that he’s been asked by Clarke at Hazeltine, he can still make the team if he wins a major, such as The Open.

Clarke is expected to name two current players who are currently well off the pace in the race.