Harrington back in the swing as Clarke slips

ALTHOUGH Thomas Bjorn in his current form might have something to say on the subject, there is still every chance that the long–awaited Irish victory in the Nissan Open could come about this week.

Most encouragingly, Pádraig Harrington was back to something like his best and was speaking in a far more positive tone than in recent weeks when he continually referred to the state of his game as “average”.

He was particularly enthused at playing with Thomas Bjorn, who shot 64, and Michael Campbell, 66. Harrington’s 69 paled somewhat in comparison but he is still very much in the hunt and far more upbeat than of late.

Darren Clarke, however, was a big disappointment once again and a three over 75 leaves him in dire danger of missing the cut.

On the other hand, there were some excellent performances from Brendan McGovern, the club professional from Headfort who matched Harrington’s 69, and Peter Lawrie who benefited from having last week off and got round nicely in 70 shots.

“On a Thursday and Friday, it is always easy to enjoy your partners’ good golf,” Harrington remarked in reference to the great play of Bjorn and Campbell. “On Sunday afternoon you don’t always enjoy it.

“You don’t compete with your partners in the first two rounds but you can feed off them. Thomas played great and Michael scored really well and

I played well. I was very happy with my game. I played nicely and 69 was a just reward, I don’t think I should be any worse. Any day you play like that you’ll be happy. Conditions were perfect, you couldn’t ask for any better.

“I think Thomas had four bunker shots today and he had a combined total of three up and downs and one holed shot. We just said good shot and he said what a difference five days can make. This was what I expected of Portmarnock, if you play good golf, the crowds will get behind you. It’s easier to play good golf when you have good company out there. It does help although as I’ve said it’s always better on Thursday and Friday.

“I was especially pleased with 6, which I hit in two, and Thomas holed for birdie and Michael for eagle and I was left with a three footer and the hole looked very small. Then at 9, my 18th., the two boys hole from 20 feet and I was in to five feet and I’m sort of thinking, I’m not going to be the one to walk off without a birdie.

“I was happy with those two birdies, I needed those two birdies, especially the one at the last to break 70. I’m obviously a long way back but I’d feel a lot worse if I didn’t get under 70. 69 is a good return and a good start.”

Clarke looked almost embarrassed as he departed the scorers caravan having signed for a three over par 75. He played the back nine first and reached the turn in 37. He then caught a fairway bunker at the 1st., his 10th., tried for too much with the recovery and left the ball in the trap. A double bogey resulted and although he had subsequent birdies at the 2nd and 4th., he also made further concessions at the 5th and 9th.

“It’s the same story, I wish I could tell you something different, but I’m hitting it terrible, swinging the club very poorly and putting very poorly,” he groaned.

“I’ve lost my timing, my rhythm, everything. It’s a pity, especially at Portmarnock with the course in absolutely perfect condition. The opportunity was there to have a decent score but I was useless.”

Few would have expected Brendan McGovern to join the elite who finished under 70. He was assistant to Peter Townsend at Portmarnock back in the 80s and graduated as the finished article in 1990. I suggested that local knowledge was a help yesterday but he pointed out: “Not as much as you might think. When I was here, the fairways were wider, the greens were slower, the pitch on was a little easier. I play no more than twice a week, never outside of the Irish Region competitions, and derived a lot of confidence from a course record of 65 in the Fintona pro-am last week. I haven’t been playing very well all year and that was my first decent round.”

McGovern mixed four birdies with a single bogey and has now set his sights very firmly on making the cut.

The same applies to Wexford professional Damien McGrane who matched the par of 72 but it was a struggle for Gary Murphy after his recent exploits in the Scottish and British Open Championships. To his credit, he birdied the 18th to get in on two over in the worst of the weather.

Paul McGinley also held it together in the rain to shoot 74.

Peter Lawrie played very nicely for a 70, expressing surprise that the course was a little softer than when he came out for a couple of practice rounds last week. He was almost glad he didn’t get to play in the Open and came to Portmarnock refreshed on his way to shooting four birdies and two bogeys.