Clarke soars as Westwood quits

Whilst Darren Clarke was assuming his customary position at the English Open, going north up the leader board, his stable-mate Lee Westwood was going south and heading for an early bath. Worksop's favourite son, who ended Colin Montgomerie's seven-year monopoly of the Volvo Order of Merit in 2000, completed only five holes here in the first round before being carted off on a buggy.

"I got pins and needles in my left arm and I've had it for four days,'' Westwood said. "I've got a pain in my elbow and find it difficult to grip the club with my little finger. I can't really hold the club as I'm trying to release it and as a result I can't square it up properly. It means I've got no confidence to hit the ball. The rough here is brutal so if you start missing fairways it's going to make it worse. I think it's a trapped nerve but I'm not sure if it's in my back or my neck.''

Since his record-breaking season two years ago Westwood has been suffering, his form and position in the money list taking a dramatic decline. He was not eligible for the US Open, which takes place next week.

Clarke warmed up for the US Open with a 65, seven under par. "This is one of my favourite courses and I seem to play well here most of the time,'' said the Irishman who won the English Open here in 1999 and 2000 and was joint fifth last year.

Clarke experimented last week with a putter, the handle of which rests against the stomach. It is longer than an orthodox club but not as long as the broom-handle putter. "The belly putter is now gathering dust in the garage,'' Clarke said. "It did well to stay intact last week. My swing has now fallen into place. I've been waiting for a score to get me up and running. Missing everything was frustrating.''

Clarke had seven birdies, going to the turn in 32, coming home in 33, a score matched by the Australian Jarrod Moseley. "I've making some very low numbers and I'm very comfortable,'' Moseley said. "I say to myself 'everyday in every way I get better and better and better'. I got into a bad spell over the last two years of beating myself up really badly and there's no point."