Clark a single shot shy of win

Johannesburg - Despite a near-flawless final round eight-under par 62, South African Tim Clark came up a single shot shy of his second victory on the PGA Tour on Sunday.

Clark put together rounds of 67 67 and 71 before the fourth round nine-birdie to one bogey exhibition for a 13-under total at the McGladrey Classic in Sea Island, Georgia.

American Chris Kirk won on 14-under playing in the last group.

Clark finished almost an hour before the final group to set the clubhouse lead on the 13-under mark, after nearly holing out his four-iron approach to the 72nd hole.

Searching for his first victory since the 2010 Players Championship, Clark started the day five behind the leaders.

"Being five back I had to go out and shoot a good score," said Clark in a television interview after his round.

Clark had shot a one-over-par third round to remove himself from contention, but on an afternoon in benign conditions the solid iron play from the man from Umkomaas vaulted him up the leaderboard.

"This was one of the calmest days we've had [this week] and the course was very accessible.

"When you're playing well on a golf course like this, you can shoot those sort of scores.

"This is a course that suits my game, and unfortunately this is the first year I've been able to come and play here but I really enjoyed it."

When asked if he thought his score was good enough to win, with American Briny Baird leading at the time, Clark responded in typical sportsman-like fashion.

"Probably not, but I'll go to the range and stay prepared.

"You never know, but Briny has been playing great and it would be nice to see him get a win."

Earlier, Clark got his round off to a fast start with a birdie at the par-four second.

A par at the third followed, before the 37-year-old reeled four birdies in a row to record a blemish-free five-under 30 going out.

A birdie at the par-four 10th began his march home, but a costly bogey five (the only drop shot of his round) awaited at the 14th.

Unable to birdie the par-five 15th, Clark clicked back into gear to sign off with three birdies in a row to give the leaders something to think about.