Irish Muirfield hopefuls fall at final qualifying hurdle

IT'S as you were as far as the Irish representation in the British Open beginning at Muirfield on Thursday is concerned.

None of the 12 Irish players involved in the final pre-qualifying at four links venues on the Firth of Forth managed to make the cut yesterday, leaving Padraig Harrington, Darren Clarke, Paul McGinley and Des Smyth to carry the flag in the tournament proper.

The biggest disappointment was the failure of Athlone amateur Colm Moriarty to capitalise on Sunday's spectacular 63 at North Berwick, which equalled the course record. He could have afforded to exceed the par of 70 by two shots but he tottered to a 75 and missed the last of the six spots by two strokes. "Obviously I'm very disappointed because Sunday's round gave me a great chance," said the 23-year-old Ireland International.

"It all went wrong from the time I three-putted the first and then failed to get up and down after missing the green at the short fourth. After that, I caught the water hazard at the seventh and that cost me a double bogey and 40 shots to the turn".

Moriarty picked up his first and last birdie of the day at the long 11th and when he missed from five feet at the 17th for par knew for sure the game was up. Having started his day at 7.55am, Moriarty was understandably tired and returned to his nearby B&B for a rest hoping the wind would pick up and thwart the efforts of his closest rivals but it was a forlorn hope.

Another amateur, Mark Murphy from Waterville, had also given himself a good chance with an opening round of 68 but this time he slumped to a 76 so instead of the glories of rubbing shoulders with Tiger Woods and the rest, it was back to a resumed diet of disc jockeying for the Kerryman.

The outstanding Irish effort of the day was produced by Cork Senior Cup player Padraig Dooley.

He shot a round of 68 at Gullane Number One for a four-under-par

total of 138 but he still missed out on the last spot by four strokes, which serves to demonstrate just how hot the scoring was.

Irish scores: Dunbar: 144 G. McDowell 72, 72; 146 - J. Dignam 73, 73; 147 - P. Gribben 72, 75.

Luffness New: 145 G. McNeill 72, 73; 149: D. Sugrue 77, 72.

Gullane No 1: 138 - P. Dooley 70, 68; 141 - S. Browne 70, 71; 146 - E. Brady 74, 72.

North Berwick: 138 - C. Moriarty 63, 75; 139 - B. McGovern 70, 69; 142 - D. Higgins 72, 70; M. Murphy 68, 76.