The Open Championship, St Andrews, 15-18 July
Coverage: Live on BBC TV, Red Button, BBC Sport website, with updates on BBC Radio 5 live Full coverage details

Clark was unfortunate to be caught in the worst of the weather

By Ged Scott BBC Sport at St Andrews

London golfer Gary Clark made his expected halfway exit from The Open at St Andrews after following his first round 79 with a slightly improved 77.

After spending more than six hours out on the Old Course, thanks to the hour-long suspension of play, the unlucky Clark ended up badly buffeted.

"It must have been 50mph at one point, "Clark told BBC Sport. "It was murder.

"They said to stay out there during the delay. I got cold and stiff but I played quite well from there on in."

Starting the day on seven over, the man from Pinner Hill began badly with two bogeys in three holes at the second and the fourth.

He responded with a birdie at the 8th, only to drop two more shots at 10 and 12 and register a double bogey seven at the long 14th. But he did at least end his round in style.

"I parred 17 and finished with a birdie, so I'm not too disappointed and it's still been an unbelievable week," said Clark.

"The Open is a fantastic experience, but it's so difficult out there when you get 36 holes of wind and rain. You need the luck of the draw in this game.

"But I'll still give it another go next year at Royal St Georges," added Clark, who will be 40 by the time of next year's Open on the Kent coast.

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