Clarke wins Monty head-to-head

Darren Clarke: disappointed with a bogey at the last

Colin Moffat BBC Sport Online at Loch Lomond

Darren Clarke made the most of the tranquil Loch Lomond conditions to post a good early score at the Scottish Open on day three.

A large crowd of early-risers followed Clarke and his playing partner, Colin Montgomerie, round the sun-drenched course and were treated to some excellent golf by the man from Northern Ireland.

Both men just made the cut mark of one over par and Monty was first to shine, reaching the turn in 33 - two shots better than Clarke.

However, Clarke turned it on down the home stretch to card a 66 and hoist himself up the leaderboard on four under par.

I've been playing okay, but my scores don't really back that up

Darren Clarke

Birdies at the 10th and 13th were followed by an eagle at the 345-yard 14th, where he took on the craftily placed green with his driver.

A good 15-foot putt was rewarded at the 16th.

But, after a great sand recovery at the 17th, Clarke dropped a stroke at the last to take some of the shine off a good morning.

"Obviously, it's disappointing to make bogey from the middle of the fairway at the last," said Clarke.

"I was only thinking of making three but pulled a hard seven iron and just missed the green.

"I've been playing okay, but my scores don't really back that up.

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"There's still a few things need working on."

Montgomerie could not get going on the back nine and finished his round in 69.

The Scot has struggled to find his game all week and was conscious of under-performing in front of a home crowd.

"I'd like to have done well this week, but I can't perform at the top of the leaderboard every week," he explained.

"It's just one of those things.

"I'll use Sunday as a bit of practice for the Open and head over to Muirfield.

Montgomerie failed to find a hot streak

"My putting has been okay, but the rest has not been so hot."

Alastair Forsyth matched Montgomerie's 69 and hopes a good Sunday can clinch a place at the Open Championship.

The Scot currently sits at two under par for the event after steady improvement on each day.

"If I finish top 20 here, I think I'll have a good chance of making Muirfield, so I'll need three or four under to give myself a shot," Forsyth said.

"I'm really pleased with my round. That has to be my best 69 ever.

"I was all over the place from tee to green and I really had to scramble. My putting has been good and I've been taking a lot of chances."