Olazabal in mood to bridge gap

Jose-Maria Olazabal tried everything to play down his prospects of bridging the 23-year gap since he last won the Irish Open Championship.

But, if his tee shots over the next couple of days reach the standard of the rest of his game so far this week, one of the greatest victories of his illustrious career may yet be achieved by the 47-year-old Spaniard.

Rounds of 68 and 69 at Carton House have put him in the ideal position over the weekend and were he to lift the trophy tomorrow, the achievement would have to rank among the most courageous fightbacks from serious illness in sporting history.