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Westwood tops Clarke at Dunhill

February 16, 2011

By Staff Reporter

Last week, he tied for fourth place in the Dunhill Championship, which was conducted over the triad of St. Andrews Old Course, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns in Scotland. Clarke shot 17 under par to finish with 271 (67-68-66-70), four strokes behind the medallist, his friend Lee Westwood.
Gary Murphy shared the first-round lead at 66, but ended up missing the cut, which was established after 54 holes, giving the golfers a chance to play each course. At 212 (66-70-76), Murphy had one stroke to many to continue.
Peter Lawrie played to a tie at 12th place, having shot 274 (67-68-71-68). Padraig Harrington, looking to find his way back into contention mode, settled among those in 35th position with 279 (72-69-67-71).
Joining Murphy on the sidelines after three rounds were Des Smyth, 213 (72-70-71), Paul McGinley, 215 (71-72-72), Graeme McDowell, 220 (79-67-74), and Ronan Rafferty, 222 (75-77-70).
Clarke did get a win of sorts. He earned The Royal Bank of Scotland Shot of the Month Award for August for draining a downhill 40-foot putt on the 13th green of Firestone Country Club while winning the World Golf Championships NEC Invitational. The vote was conducted among a panel comprised of the European Tour and golfing media who judged shots made by European Tour members.

EUROPEAN SENIORS TOUR
Another week and Denis O’Sullivan can see everyone in his rearview mirror.
Everyone, that is, except Carl Mason. For the second straight week, O’Sullivan has left the premises with a bountiful consolation check, while Mason has a larger check and another piece of pewter destined for his trophy case. Whereas Mason previously took O’Sullivan’s measure in match play, this time they competed on a medal basis.
The event this time was the Merseyside English Seniors Open at Hillside Golf
Club, where Mason’s 208 was one to the good of O’Sullivan’s 209 (72-69-68). Bill Longmuir shared runner-up honors.
Farther down the leaderboard were Paul Leonard, tied for 17th place at 218 (72-71-75), Joe McDermott, tied for 33rd place at 221 (73-73-75), Eddie Polland, tied for 40th position at 223 (73-79-71), and Liam Higgins in the 68th slot with 231 (81-74-76).

EURO TOUR QUALIFYING
Advancing to the next stage in the quest for status on the 2004 Tour were a host of Irish golfers, some familiar, some not quite so. Five venues were used. At England?s Carden Park, Michael Hoey recovered from a first-round 75 to share low honors with Michael Smith after 72 holes at 276 (75-65-67-69). They were joined by Noel Fox, who shot 283 (74-67-72-70), which was good for a share of ninth place.
Looking to capitalize on their as yet untapped vast potential are David Higgins and Richard Coughlan, who tied for fifth and sixth places, respectively, at Five Lakes. Higgins carded 281 (70-68-72-71), while Coughlan’s number was 282 (75-71-71-65). They were joined by Damian Mooney, tied for 10th at 284 (75-72-69-68), Chris Devlin, tied for 17th place at 286 (69-70-75-72), and Ciaran McMonagle, tied for 19th place with 287 (71-75-71-70).
The most prominent name among those not qualifying for late October’s second stage was that of Raymond Burns. The former Tour member will remain exiled for 2004 by virtue of shooting 288 (70-72-75-71), which was two strokes above the score he needed.

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