British Open: Darren Clarke, Lucas Glover share lead after two rounds

SANDWICH, England — On a sunny day when the old-timers shined, the kid made sure he was right in the thick of things at the British Open.

Another major title is still in Rory McIlroy’s grasp, though he isn’t going to run away with this one.

The 22-year-old from Northern Ireland tenaciously carved out a 1-under 69 Friday that left him four strokes off the lead at Royal St. George’s, where just seven strokes will be separating the field heading into what figures to be a wild — and possibly stormy — weekend.

Darren Clarke and Lucas Glover are at the top of a leaderboard filled with experience, from 40-somethings Thomas Bjorn, Miguel Angel Jimenez and Davis Love III to 52-year-old Tom Lehman.

But there’s something for everyone (except maybe the home country). Phil Mickelson, check. Sergio Garcia, check. Major champions Martin Kaymer and Charl Schwartzel, check and check.

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Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy reacts after putting on the 18th green during ... more >

And McIlroy, lurking in the rearview mirror, looking to the add the claret jug to his U.S. Open title.

“It was a grind,” he said. “It would be nicer to be a couple better, but I’ll take that going into the weekend. I’m very happy with my position.”

So are a lot of guys, including another Ulsterman.

Clarke shot his second straight 68 to show his younger countrymen a thing or two. Once the face of golf in his country, the 42-year-old became an afterthought when first Graeme McDowell, then McIlroy claimed major titles.

Maybe it’s time for the old guy to get his, too.

“It would mean an awful lot,” Clarke said. “But obviously, this is only after two rounds. There’s an awful long way to go yet.”

Clarke rolled in a 90-footer for eagle at the seventh and closed his round with a birdie at the tough 18th, sending him to the clubhouse tied for the top spot with Lucas Glover at 4 under 136.

Glover, the 2009 U.S. Open champion, followed an opening 66 with a solid 70 along the English seaside.

“I didn’t hole as many putts as I did yesterday,” the bearded Glover said. “But I’m happy to grind out even par.”

The U.S. has gone five straight majors without a title — its longest drought of the modern Grand Slam era. Glover shrugged off the slump; besides, he could be in line to snap another streak.

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