Turner left to count cost of second round bogeys
Turner made easily the best attempt of the seven Irishmen seeking one of the three places available at each of four venues in Kent for Royal St Georges on July 14-17. But, after finishing with a highly creditable four under par for 36 holes at Princes, in the end he still missed out on a play-off by a single shot.
A total of 288 players, some former major champions, others distinguished tournament winners, went in search of places in the field at Royal St Georges and among those to miss out was 2005 US Open champion and former Irish Open winner Michael Campbell, who finished on the same mark as Turner at Princes.
This regal, old fashioned links is located alongside the Open Championship venue was rated highly enough to stage the Open Championship itself in 1932 when it was won by the legendary Gene Sarazen, but is too short these days to withstand the best efforts of the many high-class professional who lined up there yesterday.
With so few places on offer, two sub-70 rounds were essential and Turner gave himself a decent platform with a three under 69 in the first round. He shot four birdies, including a 2 at the difficult 217 yards 17th, coming home in a splendid three under 33 to confirm the form that had enabled him to qualify for the Asian Tour in January.
The towering Muskerry man studied at the University of Minnesota and enjoyed a successful collegiate career before turning professional and winning his first title, last year’s South Dakota Open.
Encouraged by this fine performance, Turner earned his card on the Asian circuit in January. He has made the cut in two of his five appearances, finishing 16th in the Panasonic Open in India and 22nd in the Philippines Open.
Turner commenced his second round with a bogey at the 10th, his opener, and even though he balanced that with a birdie at the long 15th, further dropped shots at the 18th and 1st left him with a mountain to climb.
To his great credit, he hit back with birdies at the par five 2nd and 7th and a 2 at the 8th but in the end, it proved one agonising shot too many. One of the qualifiers at Princes was Francis McGuirk, a member of the distinguished Co Louth golfing family, and one of the professional staff at the host club.
There was disappointment for Athlone’s former South of Ireland champion Colm Moriarty who finished down the field at Rye and so was prevented from emulating his achievement 12 months ago when he tied for 37th in the St Andrews Open.
Another former amateur star, Noel Fox, threw in the towel after taking 77 in the first round at Littlestone and Limerick’s Tim Rice was well off the pace after two 73s at Princes.
Because of thunderstorms, play at Littlestone, where Irishman Patrick Devine shot a 70 in the first round, was suspended and he will complete his 36 holes today.
Irish scores: Littlestone (par 71) Patrick Devine (Royal Dublin) 70 (to finish today); Noel Fox (Portmarnock) 77, withdrew.
Princes (par 72) 140 Niall Turner (Muskerry) 69, 71. 146 Tim Rice (Limerick) 73, 73.
Royal Cinque Ports (par 72). Brendan McCarroll (North-West) 72, no return.
Rye (par 68) 141 Colm Moriarty (Glasson) 70, 71; Simon Ward (am Co Louth) 74, 74.
