No rub of the green for Ireland’s finest

WITH Pádraig Harrington and Gareth Maybin on the way home prior to the weekend — and only Rory McIlroy threatening the top of the leaderboard — it was a disappointing Open Championship for the Irish.

Harrington was the biggest letdown of all, McIlroy threw away a winning position with his round of 80 on Friday, Graeme McDowell was still suffering from an element of post-US Open victory hangover, Darren Clarke was no more than solid and so it was left to Shane Lowry and Colm Moriarty to fly the flag for the lower profile contingent.

In fairness, though, Lowry hardly fits into that category considering he is still only 22 and has been a professional for just 14 months. While he was disappointed with yesterday’s closing 75 that saw him finish in a tie for 37th along with Moriarty and others, it was a very respectable first major appearance for the Clara man. They both won €26,188 with Lowry up two spots in the European Tour Race to Dubai order of merit to 45th with €367,590.