Smyth fails to keep iron hot but enjoys his place in the sun

HAVING put up a truly magnificent performance for three days, Des Smyth's fragile iron play succumbed under the pressure of an Open Championship final day and he limped home in a share of 28th place after a final round of 73 for an even par total of 284. Darren Clarke shot a final day 69 for one over par and a tie for 37th spot.

Few people, Smyth himself for one, could have envisaged a situation before the tournament began, where Tiger Woods would have to shoot 65 on the final day to finish on the same mark as the 49 year-old Smyth. But that's just how it happened and if Smyth was disappointed at not finishing in the top fifteen, ensuring his return next year, he has every reason to be proud of the way he handled himself over the four rounds.

"I played too many bad iron shots", he acknowledged. I was under a bit of pressure and I don't want to go through those shots one by one. They were all crap. But I enjoyed my week. I had my moments in the sun and in the rain, come to think of it. It was great coming up the 18th to that reception. I get the sympathy clap these days, I suppose. I don't think I'll try and qualify again, I'll set winning the British Seniors as my target next year and so get into the Open in 2004.