Golf Roundup: ‘Rabbit’ McDowell is caught again, finishes 10 back
February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
After carding 14 birdies in the first 36 holes, he managed only four birdies and one eagle on on Saturday and Sunday. He set off no land mines as he toured the course over the weekend. He simply played to par then, when he needed to bring his score lower. At 279 (67-68-72-72), McDowell finished 10 strokes behind medallist Henrik Stenson.
Low round of the tournament went to Gary Murphy, who carded 64 on Sunday’s finale to finish tied for ninth place at 278 (71-73-70-64). His round was highlighted by a double-eagle 2 on the par-5 fourth hole, on which he holed out from the fairway. He had six birdies on Sunday, offset by only one bogey.
Padraig Harrington took no time off to revel in Ryder Cup glory, instead earning a tie at 37th place. He shot 284 (72-71-71-70). Peter Lawrie got a piece of 45th place with his 286 (72-72-74-68). Damien McGrane missed the cut by two strokes, shooting 147 (71-76).
CHAMPIONS TOUR
At this stage of the campaign, every dollar counts for Des Smyth. Barring a victory, he will need to requalify for next season by virtue of purse earnings, and he added $36,000 to his 2004 totals by finishing 13th in the SAS Championship at Prestonwood Country Club in Cary, N.C. Smyth shot 212 (69-72-71), which was 13 strokes behind runaway winner Craig Stadler. With $458,481 to his name, Smyth stands 40th on the money list thus far.
EUROPRO TOUR
Birdies on the last two holes lifted Colm Moriarty into sole possession of second place in the 888.com European Trophy at Bidford Grange in England. Moriarty finished at 217 (70-74-73) to stand two strokes behind champion James Holmes. A trio that included Ciaran McMonagle was one stroke behind Moriarty in joint fourth place. McMonagle carded rounds of 70, 74 and 74. He, too, birdied 17 and 18.
Also picking up birdies on the two finishing holes was David Jones, who tied for 25th place at 223 (74-74-75). Michael Hoey shared 35th place at 225 (70-77-78).
EUROPEAN SENIORS
Eamonn Darcy worked out a tie for fourth place in the ADT English Seniors Open at Formby Hall in England. At 218 (71-74-73), Darcy was two strokes over par and five behind victorious Carl Mason. Paul Leonard shared 15th position at 221 (71-75-75), David Jones tied for the 39th spot at 228 (78-73-77), Denis O’Sullivan tied for 45th place at 230 (73-80-77), Liam Higgins got a piece of 50th place at 231 (81-74-76), Kenny Stevenson finished 57th at 233 (74-80-79), Eddie Polland tied for 65th at 239 (81-79-79) and John Curtis shared 68th place at 240 (81-78-81).