Rain halts NI players at Masters

Darren Clarke has won two tournaments this season

Darren Clarke's challenge at the Volvo Masters was held up as rain disrupted the second-day action at Valderrama.

Clarke was one of 10 players who did not even get to tee off on Friday and so remains on level par, six shots behind the leader Soren Kjeldsen.

Graeme McDowell played just one hole and remains on one over.

Rory McIlroy, who started on three over par, saw another three shots slip in the difficult conditions with four bogeys and a birdie in his seven holes.

Padraig Harrington was level for the day, having completed 13 holes, so he is still on five over as he opened his challenge with a 76.

Damien McGrane is also on six over and he has 11 holes left to play in his second round.

Paul McGinley and Peter Lawrie are both on the eight over par mark.