Improving Murphy raises level of expectation

GARY MURPHY’S disappointment at “only” finishing with a level par 72 for four under and a share of 11th place at the Nissan Irish Open is its own indication of the new-found level of expectation the Kilkenny man is harbouring after a great run over the past month.

Less than four weeks ago, he was 145th in the European Tour money list. Then came 27th place in the Smurfit European Open followed by 4th in the Scottish Open and 34th in the Open Championship and suddenly his professional vision has changed.

He was up to 47th in the order of merit with a total of €288,089 and his card for next season well and truly assured. After seven holes yesterday, Murphy was seven under at Portmarnock and only three out of the lead. Sadly, he was unable to keep it going and slipped back to four under for a still very handsome finishing position. He picked up another €28,740 and has improved still further to 42nd on the Tour's pecking order with €317,828 to his credit. However, recent developments have caused him to expect a lot more he isn't prepared to settle for mediocrity and genuinely believes that he has thrown away a chance of claiming the title that would mean more than anything else to him.