Darren Clarke is now just two rounds shy of becoming only the fourth player to capture both The Open and the Senior Open victory double.

Clarke carded a second consecutive round of 68 to sit two shots off the lead at the halfway stage at the Royal Lytham and St. Annes course.

The 2011 Open Champion is bidding to join Bob Charles, Gary Player and Tom Watson in securing both titles.

Darren Clarke looking to become only the fourth player to win both The Open and the Senior Open titles (Photo – European Tour)

And Clarke, and just over a week since he had the honour of hittig the opening tee-shot at the 148th Open Championship at Royal Portrush, is aiming to become the first player to win The Senior Open on their first attempt since Paul Broadhurst lifted The Senior Open Trophy in 2016.

“I played nicely. Just the start was a little bit so-so but I kept giving myself chance after chance around the back side, didn’t really make any, and then unfortunately missed a short one on the last which always stings a little bit,” said Clarke.

“The way my swing feels and the way I’m striking the ball, I’m very pleased with.

“I’ve been hitting it well now for quite some time but putting — I’ve been trying to work away at it and get a feel and knock a few in. It’s frustrating when you come off the golf course and you feel as you’ve taken as many as you possibly can and you left four or five out there and that’s what I do every day, which somewhat frustrating, but that’s professional golf.

“That’s the way it is. You have to keep  working at it. One of these days I’ll have a hot day on the greens and everything will be wonderful again.”

American Wes Short Jr birdied the final three holes to reach six under par, one stroke ahead of fellow countryman Scott Dunlap.

In the hunt for his second Senior Major title of the season is two-time Major Champion Retief Goosen, who won his first over-50s Major at the Bridgestone SENIOR PLAYERS Championship earlier this month. The South African shares fourth place with Bart Bryant and Ken Duke on three under par

Also inside the top ten are Senior Major Champions Roger Chapman and Colin Montgomerie – who are also bidding for their first Senior Open victories – and former champions Broadhurst and Bernhard Langer. They are among eight golfers on two under par.