February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By John Manley
The last Irish Open to be sponsored by Murphy’s had drama aplenty at Fota Island, where Denmark’s Soren Hansen withstood four holes of sudden death playoff that began with three other golfers to emerge victorious. Hansen, Richard Bland, Niclas Fasth and Darren Fichardt all finished 14 under par at 270 after 72 holes.
All four recorded par on the par-5 18th hole, to which they returned to try again. Bland dropped out after the second try, with the others moving on to the par-4 first hole. Each man made par, so they advanced to the par-3 17th hole. Hansen’s tee shot landed 10 feet from the cup, and he sealed the victory with one putt.
Eamonn Darcy and Padraig Harrington, who shared sixth place with five others at 10-under-par 274, led the home team. Darcy posted rounds of 69, 68, 68 and 69, while Harrington signed to 71, 68, 69 and 66. Des Smyth tied for 16th place at 276 (67-68-72-69), with Darren Clarke (71-70-65-73) and Gr’me McDowell (70-71-65-73) occupying the 27th slot at 279 with six others. Philip Walton tied for 53rd place at 282 (71-69-70-72).
Irish missing the cut, which was set at 141, included Stephen Hamill, 142 (71-71), Colm Moriarty, 142 (73-69), David Higgins, 144 (69-75), Francis Howley, 145 (74-71), Richard Coughlan, 147 (74-73), Michael Hoey, 147 (74-73), John Dwyer, 147 (75-72), Michael Allan, 148 (74-74), Noel Fox, 148 (73-75), John Dignam, 150 (74-76), David Walker, 152 (78-74), and Damian Mooney, 153 (73-80).
The European Tour stays in Ireland for the Smurfit European Open at the K Club this weekend.
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U.S. Senior Open
Christy O’Connor, Jr. tied for 31st place in this country’s open for the over-50 set. O’Connor finished seven over par for 72 holes at 291 (74-74-73-70). He earned $15,994. Don Pooley and Tom Watson went five holes after finishing with identical low scores of 274 after regulation at the Caves Valley Golf Club in Owings Mills, Md. Pooley prevailed for his first victory since a PGA Tour title in 1987.
Euro Seniors Tour
After a sluggish beginning, the Irish representatives are beginning to find their groove. Denis O’Sullivan missed a playoff in the Lawrence Batley Seniors by just a stroke. He finished at 210 (71-69-70), when 209 proved to be the magic number. As it turned out, he had fourth place to himself. Liam Higgins shared sixth place at 213 (73-74-66) for his best showing of the year. His final round score tied for low round of the tournament, which was played over the Huddersfield Golf Club in England.
David Jones was in contention on Sunday morning, after turning in rounds of 69 and 68. But his 77 dropped him into an 11th place tie at 214. Further down the list in 34th position with scores of 222 were Paul Leonard (77-74-71) and Eddie Polland (74-73-75).
Neil Coles won the championship on the eighth playoff hole, which he began with David Creamer and Steve Stull. The latter was eliminated on the fourth playoff hole. Coles already held the record for oldest winner on this circuit, which he established almost two years ago, when he was 65 years and 10 months old. He is now 67 years and 9 months old.
Stewart & Stewart Tour
Chris Devlin managed a piece of 15th place at this circuit’s event, played at the Harbor Club Golf and Country Club in Greensboro, Ga. He shot six-under-par 282 (71-70-74-67), which earned him a check for $685.00. John Thomas Horton was low man at 269.
Euro Challenge Tour
Four Irishmen began the Open des Volcans at Golf des Volcans in France, with Damien McGrane producing the best showing, a tie for 20th place. He was five under par at 279 (70-69-70-70). Peter Lawrie was one shot behind at 280 (75-65-70-70), which gave him a slice of 25th place. Paddy Gribben and Ciaran McMonagle shot identical rounds of 72 and 71 on Thursday and Friday, respectively. Their scores of 143 missed the cut by two strokes. Scott Kammann’s 270 won the tournament.
Europro Tour
Eamonn Brady tied for eighth place in the Daily Star Trophy at the Rye Hill Golf Club in Oxfordshire, England. Brady was even over the 54-hole event, finishing with 216 (69-73-74). Simon Lilly defeated Nick Ludwell on the fourth playoff hole, after both finished with scores of 209.
Buy.com tour
Keith Nolan missed the cut in the Knoxville Open at the Fox Den Country Club in Tennessee. A score no higher than 142 was required, but Nolan came in with 146 (74-72).