Golf: Duel in the sun awaits Clark

HOWARD CLARK and Anders Forsbrand, two of the most volatile characters in European golf, are heading for a duel in the sun in the final round of the Moroccan Open at Agadir today. The two highly charged golfers, who have won a total of 18 times on the PGA Tour, are locked on 207, nine under par, after a roller-coaster third round yesterday over the Royal Golf Links.

Clark had led by five strokes after a two birdies to begin his round, but Forsbrand kept his patience and struck back. The Swede, aiming to emulate the success of his countryman Mats Lanner in Madeira last week, returned a three-under total of 69, while Clark was slightly irritated by his level-par 72.

'That was a very hard day at the office,' said the 39-year- old, who was overtaken by Lanner in Madeira to miss out on his first European victory since 1988.

Clark was not pleased either by an early-morning alarm call at 3.20, which disrupted his sleep. 'I didn't answer in case the voice on the other end had a Swedish accent]

'I wasn't at my best today, but after starting with two birdies, I messed up at the sixth and seventh. My mind went into neutral. Despite everything I know that winning is a realistic prospect - although I hope I get a better night's sleep.'

Forsbrand showed no sign of cracking under Clark's pressure and despite trailing by five strokes after just two holes, waited for his birdie chances and converted four of them. The tall, powerful Swede, who won three times in 1992, caught Clark at the 15th.

Forsbrand is not worried about the prospect of a head-to- head with the Yorkshireman. 'Howard's changed,' Forsbrand said. 'He made a bogey at the 15th but was whistling and laughing. That tells its own story. You have to find your own level. Look at John McEnroe - when he got angry, he played even better.'