Expert advice inspires Doran

A CHANCE round with Pádraig Harrington during the third round of the Irish PGA Championship at the European Club last month played a major part in Connor Doran’s victory in the Grant Thornton Mullingar Scratch Trophy.

The 27-year-old financial adviser from Banbridge was in Harrington’s gallery that day when Leslie Walker, his partner, was forced to withdraw with a wrist injury. Doran was called up to accompany the three-time major champion as a marker and acquitted himself extremely well.

On their way around, Harrington imparted a huge amount of invaluable advice, pointing out that too many amateurs strove to shoot even par rounds around seriously difficult links like Royal Co Down and the European instead of looking for five, six and seven under par scores at much easier courses before aspiring for anything more grand.