February 17, 2011
By Staff Reporter
One double bogey and 11 of the singular variety, offset by just one other bird, left Clarke with a 36-hole total of 150 (73-77), six strokes off the number required to make the cut in the season’s final major.
And Padraig Harrington, you might ask? Don’t ask. He bogeyed almost half the holes he was so privileged to play — that is, 17 out of 34. Four birdies whittled his score to 153 (77-76) for the two days.
Graeme McDowell had some hope for a little while. After double bogeys on 3 and 7 during the first round, he walked off 18 with an eagle-3 for 72 on the day. But then he ballooned to 76 on Friday and received his walking papers.
Paul McGinley salvaged some Irish pride by comfortably making the cut, then surging to a share of 23rd place at tournament’s end. He shot 283 (72-70-72-69) to finish the tournament three over par and seven strokes behind eventual champion, Phil Mickelson. McGinley’s earnings amounted to $56,400.
HOOTERS TOUR
Gareth Maybin issued another fine performance, this time a shared ninth place finish in the Westminster Village Classic at Thunder Bayou in Blytheville, Ark. After playing bogey-free on Saturday, but picking up only three birdies, he took a more aggressive tack on Sunday, with mixed results. Although his birdie output increased to seven, he also suffered three bogeys. He stood at 17 under par for the tournament with a 72-hole score of 271 (66-68-69-68), six strokes behind victor Brett Boner. His earnings of $2,746 maintain his position atop the Tour’s money list with $63,557.
EUROPEAN TOUR
Michael Hoey took a share of 23rd place in the Cadillac Russian Open at Le Meridien Moscow Country Club. He finished the event six strokes under par at 282 (71-73-68-70), which was nine strokes off the winning number. Behind Hoey came Stephen Browne, part of a quintet in 46th position at 286 (69-73-71-73). Colm Moriarty, 148 (76-72), and David Higgins, 151 (76-75), failed to qualify for the weekend, which required a 36-hole score of 144 or better.
EUROPEAN SENIORS
Dennis O’Sullivan has been nibbling lately and last week he got part of 12th place in the Bad Ragaz PGA Seniors Open at Bad Ragaz in Switzerland. His 54-hole score of 206 (69-68-69) left him four strokes under par for the tournament and seven off Terry Gale’s winning number. Eddie Polland tied for 34th place at 211 (71-71-69), John Curtis shared 38th position at 212 (71-67-74), and Liam Higgins finished joint 44th at 213 (74-70-69).