Clarke grabs six-shot lead at MCI Classic

Darren Clarke brought a little color to the MCI Classic on Friday -- and it wasn't just his mustard yellow pants.

Clarke's second straight 65 gave him a six-stroke lead and left him at 12-under 130, his career-best for 36 holes and one shot off the tournament record set by Jack Nicklaus in 1975 and tied by Phil Mickelson three years ago.

Clarke, ranked 17th in the world, is one of the few recognizable names in the field with Masters champion Tiger Woods and the rest of the Big Four (Vijay Singh, Ernie Els, Mickelson) taking the week off.

The native of Northern Ireland, chomping a cigar and laughing with the crowd, showed how much he loved being at Harbour Town Golf Links at Hilton Head Island, S.C.

"I knew I liked the golf course and that's why I've kept coming back," he said. "It's easier to play on a golf course you're comfortable on than one that you're not. I'm enjoying myself and playing pretty solid golf."

Clarke was one of the few who moved forward as swirling, unpredictable winds blew many competitors with flashy, first-round scores back in the field.

Australian Peter Lonard had flirted with 59 late in his opening round before finishing with a career-best 62 to lead by two shots. He ballooned to a 74 on Friday and was tied for second with Patrick Sheehan, who had a second-round 70.

Thomas Levet, who put up a 64 in the first round, also had a 74 and was eight shots off the lead.

LPGA Tour

Wendy Ward had a scrambling 68 Friday and took a three-shot lead through two rounds of the Takefuji Classic at the Las Vegas Country Club in Las Vegas.

Ward, looking for her fourth LPGA victory and first in nearly four years, was at 11-under 133.

Karrie Webb, who shared the opening-round lead with Ward, had a 71 Friday and was tied for second with Moira Dunn, who is winless in 10 years on the tour. Dunn had a 5-under 67 in the second round.

Defending champion Cristie Kerr and 2003 winner Candie Kung just survived the cut at 143.

Dalhousie Golf Club touring professional Karen Stupples missed the cut by four strokes. She followed up a first-round 76 with a 71 for a 3-over-par 147.