Darren Clarke is just two shots off the lead after shooting a five-under 67 on day one of the PGA Tour Champions Principal Charity Classic at Wakonda Golf Club in Des Moines, Iowa.
A week after teaming up with American Ben Crane to successfully defend the American Family Insurance title that he won with Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn last year, the Dungannon native came roaring out of the traps to birdie five of his first nine holes and take a share of the lead, but after dropping a shot on 11, could only pick up one further birdie on the back nine as he fell two behind the lead which is shared by George McNeill and Scott Hend.
At 50 years of age, McNeill is one of the PGA Tour Champions rookies and is seeking his first victory on the senior circuit, while Hend is already a winner in 2026 having landed the Trophee Hassan II title a fortnight ago.
Should Clarke go on to make it back-to-back victories, he would move inside the top five in the Schwab Cup Rankings.
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