Molinari and Hoey make cardinal errors and disqualified

OVERNIGHT leader Francesco Molinari of Italy and Ireland’s Michael Hoey committed cardinal golfing errors at Baltray yesterday and were disqualified from the 3 Irish Open Championship.

Portuguese Open champion Hoey opened on Thursday with a one under par 71 and had picked up another shot after 10 holes yesterday when he realised there were 15 clubs in his bag. He reported it and was immediately disqualified for signing for the wrong score on the previous day.

“I noticed that under all the wet gear that there was an extra club in there,” said the crestfallen Belfast golfer. “I also knew it had been in there on Thursday. I always have a rescue club and two iron with me every week but I just presumed my caddie (Ian McGregor) knew I wouldn’t be taking the rescue because it’s not needed on this golf course. It’s partly my fault and partly his. I just didn’t see it because it was under all the wet weather gear and the head cover is the same as my three wood. It is so stupid and I can’t believe it because I was playing well and trying to move up the leaderboard.”