Bruce Critchley says Harmon is a friend to those who need him

English Open: Stunning finish of five birdies gives leader a huge advantage for today's final round

IF THERE is anything more frustrating than playing badly, it is playing well and scoring poorly. If Darren Clarke's reaction to his 68 on Thursday was of the over-the-top variety, it was because the Ulsterman missed many more chances than he took. "We all lose our heads now and again," he said.

AS A LIFELONG Bayern Munich supporter, Bernhard Langer knew the question was coming. "I sure did," he said, when asked if he had watched Wednesday night's football game. "Let's change the subject."

GOLF

NICK PRICE made it a quartet of first-round leaders in the 63rd US Masters after the Zimbabwean completed the 18th hole yesterday morning. Price and David Duval were forced to abandon their rounds with a hole to play on Thursday evening as the light faded but both returned to par the 18th.

STEVE DAVIS may be unsure of his status next season, but the world No 14 says he is "geared-up" to staying in the top 16 for a 20th successive year. His 5-2 victory over Darren Clarke in the British Open at Plymouth yesterday will do his cause no harm.

COLIN MONTGOMERIE'S air of quiet confidence at The Players Championship seemed to be justified when he moved towards the top of the leaderboard with a commanding start to his second round at the TPC of Sawgrass. The Scot began the day at level par, four off the lead, but had picked up five birdies without dropping a stroke after 12 holes. While the overnight leaders, Brian Watts and Bob Estes at four under, were late starters, Japan's Joe Ozaki scored a 68 to move to seven under.

IAN GARBUTT stormed into contention for his first European Tour title with a second 67 in yesterday's second round of the Turespana Masters. The 26-year-old from Doncaster had six birdies and dropped just one shot in near-perfect conditions over the Parador course.

LEE WESTWOOD and Darren Clarke, the two pre-tournament favourites, crashed out of the Benson and Hedges Malaysian Open yesterday.

A young British golfer is about to justify the hype after a fruitful year.

NICK FALDO'S stoical return to golf's front line continued with a determined display that put England into the lead at the half-way mark of the World Cup of Golf in Auckland, New Zealand, yesterday.

LEE WESTWOOD shot a three-under-par 69 yesterday in Gotemba, Japan, to become the first golfer in the 27-year history of the Sumitomo VISA Taiheiyo Masters to win the title three consecutive times.

Volvo Masters: O'Malley takes share of lead as Order of Merit rivals play out a personal battle