Pádraig back in world’s top 10

PÁDRAIG HARRINGTON returned to the world’s top ten as a result of tying for 2nd in the WGC Bridgestone Invitational at the weekend but the picture isn’t quite so bright for most of the other leading Irishmen.

Tue, 11 Aug, 2009 - 01:00

Charlie Mulqueen

Rory McIlroy’s slide down the list continues as a result of another disappointing performance at Firestone. A share of 68th may have improved his bank balance by another €28,019 but he is now down to 29th in the world having been 16th after his victory in the Dubai Desert Classic in February. The 20-year-old prodigy has fared relatively well in the majors so far this year (20th in the Masters, 10th in the US Open and 47th in the Open) and will hope for another good week in the US PGA starting at Hazeltine, Minnesota, on Thursday.

McIlroy remains nicely placed in the European Tour’s Race to Dubai order of merit, 6th with a total of €1,374, 653 to his credit after the Bridgestone.

Harrington, who picked up €474, 418 for a share of 2nd at Firestone, is now 10th in the world, 20th in the Race to Dubai with €735,134 to his credit and sure of a place among the top 60 who qualify for the lucrative, season-ending extravaganza in the Gulf. The other Irishmen currently inside the mark are Graeme McDowell, 38th; Gareth Maybin, 50th and Peter Lawrie, 57th .

In there with a fighting chance but needing a few good tournaments in the near future are Damien McGrane, 64th, and Michael Hoey, 78th , but Darren Clarke, back in 93rd, has a lot of ground to make up. However, he has good reason to feel hopeful. Most importantly, he has shown some decent form of late and four commendably solid rounds at Firestone saw him into a tie for 22nd on even par 280, that earned him €53, 131. He can further improve the situation having received a late and much appreciated invitation to the PGA.

Graeme McDowell’s grip on a place in the game’s top 50 grows ever more tenuous. He tied for 45th in the Bridgestone to win €36,763 but he is 49th in the rankings. Clarke is 103rd and Gareth Maybin 115th .

Life on tour is proving as difficult as one would have expected for Shane Lowry who had only two players behind him at Firestone where his prize amounted to a still healthy €25,699.