Clarke can’t get close to Hansen in Volvo

By John Manley

There was little challenge posed to Anders Hansen in the Volvo PGA Championship at Wentworth in England, but Darren Clarke upheld Ireland’s representation by finishing seventh. Hansen posted a five-shot victory, with Clarke eight strokes back at 277 (70-71-69-67).

Ronan Rafferty was the only other Irishman to make the cut. After contending early, he went the wrong way over the weekend and settled for a tie at 73rd position with a score of 295 (68-72-79-76).

Paul McGinley missed the cut by one stroke at 145 (71-74). Sharing his misfortune were Padraig Harrington at 148 (76-72), Eamonn Darcy (79-71) and John Dwyer (75-75) at 150, Des Smyth at 152 (74-78) and Robert Giles at 155 (79-76).

Euro Challenge Tour

Gary Murphy tied for seventh place in the Izki Challenge de Espana at the Izki Golf Club in Alava. Murphy’s 281 (70-69-73-69) left him five shots behind Fredrik Widmark, the medalist. David Higgins tied for 21st place at 287 (70-71-72-74).