Darren Clarke fought his own version of ‘War On The Shore’ during the opening round of the PGA Championship at Kiawah Island.

Clarke carded a one over par 73 in sauna-like conditions but with a round that included an eagle, two birdies, three bogeys and a second hole double bogey where he was forced to take an unplayable penalty drop.

Darren Clarke fighting his own 'War on the Shore' on day one of the PGA. (Photo - Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)

The former British Open winner, playing in his 14^th PGA Championship, again fought demons that have been spoiling his game in recent years.

“A 73 is a good fight back but I made some stupid errors out there from nowhere,” said Clarke.

“Take the 11^th and my second hole when I was pushed my tee shot up against the edge of the bunker and using a 9-iron to just chip it out and it caught the top of the bunker kicked right and ran through the rough, so I had to take an unplayable.

“It wasn’t a nice way to start but then I had a lot of birdie chances like at 18 where I missed a four footer after hitting a cut rescue club into 17 and holing a 12-footer.”

Clarke headed to Kiawah’s front nine or his inward nine but then dropped three shots in succession from his 11^th before the highlight of his round at the par five, seventh or his 16^th where his 3-wood second shot landed 30 feet from the flag from where he holed out.

As Clarke was discussing his round, Padraig Harrington walked past on his way to commence his round, and in the company of sports psychologist, Dr. Bob Rotella.

Rotella stopped long enough to arrange a meeting with Clarke after Clarke had lunch.