Open Champion Darren Clarke is staring at a race to be fit for next week’s Masters after suffering a groin strain during day two of the thunderstorm affected Shell Houston Open.
Clarke was seen limping for the better part of his second round with what he physical trainer Steve McGregor said later was a groin muscle strain.
The Royal St. George’s winning hero was attended to during his round but was still favouring the injury in walking from the Redstone course and expecting to miss the halfway cut in the $US 6m event with scores of 72 and 71 for a one under par tally.
“It’s a really long walk around this golf course and I could have come in after three to four holes this morning and it seemed okay when I finished my first round today but it’s just got progressively worst in the second round,” he said.
“I wanted to keep going, keep going and keep going as I need to play all four rounds before the Masters.
“I was three under for the tournament and cruising but then two stupid bogeys at 15 and 16 just killed me.”
Clarke had resumed his first round on the third hole and after ending near lunch he then was straight back out on the course for his second round in the $US 6m event.
Clarke’s trainer suggested Clarke should visit a local doctor to have the injury assessed however Clarke is confident with rest he should be fine to take his place at Augusta National.
It has been four years since Clarke last played in the Masters and he earned a five year exemption in capturing golf’s oldest Major last July.
Fellow Open winner, Louis Oosthuizen (66) and US based Londoner Brian Davis (65) head the event but with the second round not due to finish until late Saturday morning local time after torrential rain on Thursday forced an abandonment to play.
Davis snatched seven birdies and put himself in position to grab the last remaining spot into next week’s Masters, and also make just his second appearance since 2004 at Augusta.
And after losing his father late last year, Davis is now determined to be join 38 other players in Houston heading to the Masters.
“My father died of cancer and it was a tough time for me and time for me maybe reassess my life and look at what I’m doing, which I did,” he said.
