Darren Clarke sits tied for 45th after day one of the PGA Champions Tour’s Ascension Charity Classic at Norwood Hills Country Club in St. Louis, Missouri.
A Jekyll and Hyde opening nine saw him make the turn at -1 thanks to four birdies, three bogeys and just two pars. The back nine was a lot less up and down, but unfortunately, a little more down than up as two bogeys outweighed a single birdie and he reached the clubhouse at level-par, eventually settling in a tie for 45th.
2009 PGA Championship winner Y.E. Yang set the early pace with a six-under 65, and he enjoys a one-shot cushion over a strong chasing quintet of Boo Weekley, Kevin Sutherland and Tim O’Neill from the United States, and Argentine duo Ricardo Gonzalez and Angel Cabrera.
Yang lead after round one at the same venue last year but couldn’t hang on to the advantage over the closing two rounds, so will be hoping to go one better and get his maiden Champions Tour victory.