Five-time champion Tom Watson has provided the moment of this year's British Open by landing a hole-in-one in the second round at Royal St George's.

The 61-year-old produced a moment of brilliance at the 178-yard sixth, the ball pitching five metres short before dropping in the hole.

The shot ignited the large gallery following him and shock first-round leader Tom Lewis around the course on a glorious day in Kent.

On realising what he had done, eight-time major champion Watson raised his arms in triumph and high-fived English amateur Lewis.

There were even howls of delight in the press tent and the American received a thunderous ovation from the crowd as he walked to the sixth hole to pick up his ball.

He tried to fix the dent that his ball left on the green before putting the ball to the sky to acknowledge the warm reception.

Watson was on two over after five holes and in danger of missing the cut before his perfect shot moved him back to even.

The American has shown a remarkable ability to stay competitive at The Open despite his advancing age and is adored by British crowds.

It is now 36 years since his maiden Open title at Carnoustie.

Meanwhile, forgotten Northern Irishman Darren Clarke was busy upstaging his big-name compatriots.

With a population of less than two million, Northern Ireland is punching well above its weight on the golf course.

However few would have thought it would be the 42-year-old Clarke leading the way ahead of Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell.

While McIlroy and McDowell have battled to make a mark early in the tournament, Clarke had cruised to five under and a share of the lead after 13 holes on Friday.

The world No.111 has not finished in the top 40 at a major in five years and his best results at the big four came more than a decade ago.

However he has shown encouraging signs in the opening two days on the English south-east coast to suggest he might be able to challenge once again.

The 42-year-old is one of the most popular players on European tour and there was an outpouring of goodwill towards him after he lost his wife to breast cancer in 2006.

Clarke was hailed for his courage in soldiering on to help take Europe to victory over the US in the Ryder Cup later that year.