Clarke Sets Early Pace in St. Louis with 64
Darren Clarke began the Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs with a 7-under 64, taking a one-shot lead at the Stifel Charity Classic. His round matched the event's first-round record and featured nine birdies against a double bogey at No. 13. Mark Hensby is second, with Vaughn Taylor and Tim Petrovic tied for third.
Clarke, 58 and from Northern Ireland, began the Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs at Norwood Hills with a 64 that matched the event’s opening-round mark, previously equaled by Stewart Cink in 2025. The round included nine birdies and a double bogey at No. 13; he had never before gone lower than 67 there.
Hensby, 55, posted a bogey-free 65 from the 10th tee in his 100th PGA Tour Champions appearance, seeking a second title. Taylor and Petrovic each shot 66, while Cink’s 67 left him alone in fifth.
Clarke’s early lead could raise interest in the PGA Tour Champions and the St. Louis event, potentially drawing more viewers and spectators. That may offer a small boost to nearby hospitality businesses and give older golf fans a relatable storyline about sustained competitiveness. For players chasing Charles Schwab Cup points, the result may shape season-ending narratives and sponsorship attention, though one round is unlikely to create broad societal effects.