McDowell happy with efforts

THERE won’t be a first Irish winner of the US Open this week and the chances are that the Europeans in general will have to wait another 12 months before they can hope to bridge the gap of 39 years since Tony Jacklin emerged triumphant at Hazeltine in 1970.

Pádraig Harrington bowed out tamely after two rounds of 76 and actually finished a couple of shots behind Darren Clarke. The championship didn’t provide much in the way of optimism for either man or indeed for the once brilliant South African Ernie Els who also fell away to an embarrassing total of 15 over. Whereas there is every reason to hope Harrington can emerge from his current slump, one has to wonder if the good times have come to an end for Els and Clarke, who are now a pale shadow (if such an expression can be used of two such powerfully built individuals!) of their former selves.

For now at any rate, the banner for Ireland is being flown by the brilliant 20-year-old Rory McIlroy from Holywood and Graeme McDowell from Portrush, a golfer who frequently comes into his own on the biggest occasions. They are seeking places at the very least of places in the top 15 that would entitle them to an exemption into next year’s championship at Pebble Beach along with a sizeable chunk of the $ 7.5m (€5.3m) prize fund.