Darren Clarke, joint runner-up in the last Open at Troon seven years ago, produced a finish today that each of the leaders would have paid a fortune for.

Too far back to have a chance, the Ulsterman birdied the 15th, 16th and 17th and almost made another on the last.

It gave Clarke a 68 and two-under total of 282, but the shot he will remember most remains his approach to the 18th on day one. It went out of bounds over the green and he said: "Momentum's huge in any tournament, but more so in a Major.

"I was in good shape, made a mistake (he double-bogeyed it and went back from four under to two under) and never really recovered."

Clarke, still searching for a first Major, felt he had a "cold putter" for most of the week, but that does not mean a return to his belly putter for the Irish Open this coming week.

He used it for two days of the recent European Open, but when asked its whereabouts replied: "Probably sunk in the Liffey."