Clarke in control as familiarity breeds great content

Darren Clarke, who has given up the expensive habit of smoking cigars the size of small logs (it was costing him about £16,000 a year) remained on course here to win the Compass English Open, an event that is close to his heart, if no longer his humidor.

The Irishman, who pocketed the Compass in 1999 and 2000, knows his way around the Forest of Arden and yesterday he gave the impression he could almost play it by memory, even if there was the odd hitch.

The joint overnight leader at nine under par at halfway, Clarke compiled a 68 in the third round yesterday and at 13 under he goes into today's final round paired at the top of the leaderboard with the Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin, who shot a 65.

In joint second place, a stroke behind, is the Dane Soren Hansen, who managed a 64, and Steve Webster, and they in turn are a stroke in front of the Englishmen Justin Rose and Sam Walker.

Webster, born in Nuneaton and a resident of Atherstone, is the local boy who has never won on the European Tour but has finished runner-up on four occasions. He lists his interests as "socialising, music, crown-green bowling and tiddlywinks''.

Webster, who came in with a 65, said: "I think I had about 80 family and friends out there. They are great supporters. If I play like that again I will give myself a chance.''

Clarke, who flies to New York tomorrow for the US Open where he will partner Tiger Woods in the first two rounds, was almost a model of consistency, hitting fairways and greens in regulation and giving himself plenty of opportunities to beat par. He did not take all of them, but was the outright leader with an eagle at the 12th and a birdie at the 13th before marring his card with a bogey six at the 17th.

Aside from Clarke, Europe's Ryder Cup players have not been in scintillating form. Only Sergio Garcia, who spends most of his time in America, has won this year. Nevertheless, Sam Torrance, the non-playing captain who will lead Europe against the United States at The Belfry in September, is in good nick.

Torrance, who will be 49 in August and is edging towards eligibility for the seniors tour, started the third round in joint 47th and shot up the leaderboard with a 65. It put him at nine under for the tournament, four strokes behind the leaders.

This is a slim-line Torrance, down from 16st plus to 13st. "Lead by example, that's what I've always been told,'' Torrance said. "Gary Player has always said that age is only a number and I do feel good and supple, my shoulder turn is good, my nerve is good. There is no reason for me not to be able to win again. Last season I had no concentration, no motivation. I had nothing. My mind was somewhere else.'' The events of 11 September, which caused the Ryder Cup to be postponed for 12 months, probably had something to do with it.

Torrance added: "I walk six miles a day, five days a week and I think that's enough for any man. I've found a diet that worked. Radiant Health. I'm hitting it longer, getting a bigger turn and nothing gets in the way.''

Further evidence that hope springs eternal in a game for all ages was provided by Sandy Lyle, who returned a 66 to join a growing throng at nine under. The Forest of Arden, in almost as fine a condition as Sam, and the greens softened by the elements, was receptive yesterday to most comers.

Dennis Edlund of Sweden had a rollercoaster ride, scoring 69 that included four birdies, two eagles and five bogeys. The bogey five at the ninth was a gem.

He hit his second shot so far left of the green his ball landed on the croquet lawn in front of the hotel. Edlund's caddie, assuming it was out of bounds, picked up the ball but was immediately told by an official to replace it. The ball was, in fact, in play and by moving it the caddie cost Edlund a one-stroke penalty.

Resisting the temptation to knock the ball through a croquet hoop, Edlund played a brilliant pitch shot over a path and downhill to within five feet of the flag and made the putt for a five. For marks out of 10 it was worth 9.5.