Clarke, hopeful of Ryder spot, leads KLM Open

text size

ZANDVOORT, Netherlands (AP) -- Ryder Cup contender Darren Clarke shot a 4-under 66 to take a three-stroke lead over Henrik Stenson at the KLM Open on Saturday.

Clarke, who shared the second-round lead with England's Robert Rock and Sweden's Alexander Noren, had birdies at Nos. 4, 6 and 7 before a bogey at No. 8.

But Clarke was back in contention after birdies on Nos. 12-13 got him to 12-under 198 and boosted his bid to get a Ryder Cup wild card on Nick Faldo's European team.

"I came here to try to show Nick I have a bit of game and if I play well I have a great chance," Clarke said.

The KLM Open is one of the last chances -- along with next weekend's Johnnie Walker Championship in Scotland -- for players to try to earn a Ryder Cup spot.

"I can still play better," Clarke said. "This week has been good in that I have hit a lot of good shots and made a lot of chances."

Sweden's Stenson shot a 68, while Englishman John Bickerton's 66 put him third, four strokes behind Clarke.

Noren was tied for sixth after a bogey at No. 8, but had three birdies in the first five holes on the back nine to finish with a 72.