Maybin gets off to a flier in Italy
Maybin picked off five birdies on the rain-softened Royal Park course to end the day trailing just two shots behind the leading foursome of Australia’s Marcus Fraser, Scotland’s Paul Lawrie and the England pair of Graeme Storm and Robert Rock.
Further rain in the northern Italian city forced a two-hour delay to the start of play and this after the rain had closed the course for practice on Tuesday and Wednesday.
But it didn’t seem to bother Maybin and his Royal Portrush caddy, Davy Jones.
“I knew all the rain we’ve had that the course was going to play very long and while I didn’t drive the ball all that great, I putted really good,” he said.
“I have played here a few times before so the fact the course was closed for two days didn’t really worry me.
“So I know the course pretty well and I feel quite comfortable on it but in saying that I walked a few holes yesterday and I thought there would no chance playing today as there was just so much water about.
“But it’s drying out pretty well but then the one club preferred lie rule was helpful.”
Maybin recorded five birdies and each were gems with his putts ranging from 10 feet each at his second and 10th holes along with a 20-foot birdie at his eight hole.
The 29-year-old also sank birdie putts of 30 feet at his sixth and eighth holes with his only bogeys coming at his ninth and 11th holes.
Maybin arrived in Turin lying 22nd on the Race to Dubai money list courtesy of his super second place finish in the recent Ballantine’s Championship in Korea.
And while the Ulster golfer has played alongside some of the game’s greats in his short pro career, Maybin says he learnt so much after playing alongside triple Major winning Ernie Els on the final day of the Korean event.
“I just took a lot of confidence out of playing alongside Ernie on that last day in Korea and hopefully that will help me in the future,” said Maybin.
“What I learnt most that day was Ernie’s temperament because he was just so relaxed and if he made a bogey or whatever he wasn’t fazed.
“He just got on with it and he usually came back with a birdie. I’ve played with guys like Lee (Westwood) before and a few of the other big guys but Ernie would have to be definitely the best and given the form he was in.
“That’s why I am out here to play alongside players like that and on a Sunday afternoon, as well. But to have finished second in Korea and to do something that I did at the start of last year, just frees me up for the rest of the year to the extent I can go on and win my first event.
“But I’ve now put myself in that position twice now so all I can do is be patient and wait for it to happen.”
Maybin was also full of praise for fellow Ulsterman Rory McIlroy and is looking forward to catching up with him at next fortnight’s BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.
“It was a phenomenal last round from Rory and just very impressive,” said Maybin. “So it will be good to see him at Wentworth and congratulate him on a super effort.”
But while Maybin and McIlroy has the Ulster flag flying high, Michael Hoey was forced to withdraw after eight holes complaining of a respiratory problem. It has been of a concern for the reigning Portuguese Open champion for some time.
Hoey left the course at eight over par having recorded three double bogeys in succession from the fifth hole.
Darren Clarke eagled the 11th hole in a 74 while Gary Murphy carded a five-over par 77 but poor light near 8.45pm local time forced a halt to play and leaving a handful of players still complete their rounds including Co. Down’s Simon Thornton.
And Matteo Manassero got his pro-career off to a positive start with a two under par 70.
The 17-year old out-scored playing partner Colin Montgomerie with Europe’s Ryder Cup Captain afterwards remarking: “I was very impressed with Matteo today, doing that at 17 years of age.
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