Donaldson delivers ‘surreal’ victory at 255th time of asking

EVEN 2012 Irish Open champion Jamie Donaldson described his victory as “surreal” last night but such was the success of the tournament’s return to Royal Portrush, it would not have mattered if a polar bear had sunk the final putt.

Record crowds into six figures proved the wisdom of a first Irish Open on the revered Antrim links since 1947 and gave the R&A plenty of food for thought as the clamour for a first Open Championship here since 1951 grew louder on a red letter day for the European Tour.

The only downside was that Pádraig Harrington could not quite deliver the title many had expected him to after starting the day just two shots off the lead, the 2007 champion’s putting yesterday denying the Dubliner a second Irish Open victory of his career. Yet with this year’s Open Championship looming and Harrington having returned to form in style after plenty of time in the wilderness following his third major win in 2008, he will gladly bide his time a little while more for that long-awaited return to the winner’s circle.