February 17, 2011
By Staff Reporter
But the wily Colin Montgomerie had the foresight to shoot 65 on Friday and that paid dividends on Sunday, as he caught Ferrie and enjoyed a one-stroke victory. Harrington and three others finished tied for third place, two blows behind Monty and one off Ferrie.
Harrington either matched or bettered Montgomerie on three of the four days, but the latter’s 65 provided plenty of froth in the late stages. Harrington carded 70 in each round, save the third, when he shot 71 at Kingsbarns. The first round was held at Carnoustie, with the remainder at St. Andrews.
While Montgomerie shot 65 on Friday, Darren Clarke signed his name to 75. That made quite a difference in the final reckoning, which saw him card 282 (68-75-69-70), good for a slice of seventh place.
After flirting with victory at the sport’s highest level over the last couple months, Paul McGinley reverted to a rather pedestrian version of his game, coming in at 289 (74-71-72-72) for a share of 41st place.
Relieved of their playing privileges after the 54-hole cut was established at 217 were Damien McGrane, 219 (72-71-76), Gary Murphy, 221 (71-74-76), and Graeme McDowell, 222 (69-74-79).
HOOTERS TOUR
Gareth Maybin finished tied for 14th place in this circuit’s Tour Championship at Suntree Country Club in Melbourne, Fla. He finished the event three strokes under par at 285 (71-72-71-71). Dave Schreyer shot 275 for the victory.
Maybin, a Ballyclare, Co. Antrim man, finished his first year as a professional in fourth place on the Tour’s money list with $68,886. He will now concentrate on trying to advance through the PGA Tour Qualifying stages in hopes of obtaining playing privileges on either the PGA Tour or Nationwide Tour for 2006.
EUROPEAN SENIORS
Eamonn Darcy led the four Irish representatives in the Castellon Costa Azahar Open de Espana at Club de Campo del Mediterraneo in Spain. His 214 (75-67-72), which was two strokes under par, was good for a piece of 20th place. American Bob Boyd’s 205 stood up for the win.
Farther down the leader-board were Eddie Polland, in joint 25th place at 216 (72-72-72), Denis O’Sullivan, in joint 36th place at 219 (70-73-76), and John Curtis, 60th at 224 (76-72-76).