Expert advice inspires Doran
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.
“I saw the sense in what he was saying and it was undoubtedly the greatest experience of my golfing career,” said Doran. “He was extremely helpful and I was surprised at how nice he was. I played for Ireland for three years up to 2008 and as this is a prestigious tournament, I’m hoping it will help to regain my place, especially if I can also do well in the Interpros at Douglas next week. On top of that, myself and friends made a tidy little investment in me with Paddy Power at 33/1 so all in all it’s been a very nice few days.”
In truth, though, Doran owed a massive amount to the mess his nearest opponent, 20-year-old Paul Cutler, made of the par five 18th. Cutler, desperately unlucky to miss out on a Walker Cup team place on Sunday, heard a big roar from the green as he prepared for his second shot. He assumed it signalled that Doran had made eagle when in fact it was a 25-footer for birdie which meant a five would still have seen Cutler home.
“I had a good lie in the rough 215 yards from the flag and would have gone for the green regardless of what was happening up ahead,” he maintained. “Trouble is, I totally mis-hit the shot and the ball ran into the water hazard fronting the green. My fourth rolled about 12 feet past the hole and I missed the putt.”
That meant the two Ulstermen had tied on seven under 281 and so they set off down the first as the initial tie hole. Whereas Cutler found the right rough, Doran split the fairway and pitched up to just over a yard. Cutler flew the green and though he pitched back close, Doran made no mistake with his birdie putt.
It certainly was a disappointing couple of days for Cutler after his omission from the Walker Cup team. He will decide over the next couple of days whether to enter for the PGA European Tour School next month, admitting “it’s almost certainly what I will do. I’m disappointed about the Walker Cup but in this game you must take the lows with the highs.”
Doran was as cut up as anyone given that the pair are foursomes partners with Ulster and also because he had been outscored 68 to 70 by his friend in the final round. As for Cutler’s omission from the Walker Cup team, he believed “it to be a mistake. Paul is one of the finest strikers I know and would have been a huge addition.”
Long hitting Luke Lennox from Moyola Park carried a three stroke advantage into the final round but fell away with 76 in the final round to allow Walker Cup man Niall Kearney claim third spot after an impressive closing 68.
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