DARREN CLARKE IN LINE TO DEFEND DUTCH OPEN.

Darren Clarke is in line to defend the KLM DUTCH OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP at KENNEMER GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB after a second round 67 left him on 8 under par and level with Swedens Peter Heblom(66).It is a good boost for Clarke who is down in 95th place in the"Race to Dubai" table.
It is a good tournament for the Irish as Peter Lawrie is only one shot behind on -7 after a 68.Lawrie was in a great position to lead but finished bogey,par,double bogey.
10 players are in a group on -6.They include Shane Lowry who is getting more comfortable with the Professional game,shot a 68,first round leader Paul McGinley who lost shots at the 14th and 18th for a 70,Damien McGrane had his second 67 in a row,and new course record holder Marcus Higley 63.
Gareth Maybin is in good shape on 5 under after a second round 68.

Johnny Caldwell,went to +2 after 9 holes.He rallied over the next 4 holes with 3 birdies and a poor bogey at the par3, 16th left him one shot outside the cut on level par.Caldwell who was Rory McIlroys Walker cup partner at Royal County Down looks to be heading for the qualifying school as he is 279th in the merit table.

Gary Murphy is in grave danger of losing his tour card this year.He is 156th on the merit table and missed the cut again this week after scores of 76/70 +6.
Michael Hoey won his first tournament in Portugal in April,but is sliding down the table in 82nd place after a string of poor results.It didn't get any better this week after scores of 79/69 +8.