New course record at Fota as Irish fight to stay in contention

LATEST: England’s Danny Willett scored the first hole-in-one of the tournament earlier today on the seventh hole, and went on to set a new course record with a round of 63.

(Graeme McDowell acknowledges the crowd. Picture: SPORTSFILE)

England’s Danny Willett scored the first hole-in-one of the Irish Open earlier today on the seventh hole at Fota Island Resort, and went on to set a new course record with a round of 63.

He is now in the clubhouse at 11 under, which puts him joint top of the leader board with Mikko Ilonen, who is one-under for the day with four holes to play.

Graeme McDowell had a mid-round wobble, with bogeys on the eighth and ninth, but has recovered and is back to par for the day so far. This puts him three shots behind the leaders, at eight-under.

Padraig Harrington is also struggling to recapture his excellent form of yesterday. He is currently one-over for the day, and five-under for the tournament.

(Padraig Harrington takes a putt on the seventh. Picture: SPORTSFILE)

John Kelly is next best of the Irish, in the clubhouse on three-under. Peter Lawrie finished the day at two-under.

Three bogeys on the back-nine for Darren Clarke meant he finished at two-over for the day, which leaves him 11 shots back from the lead for the tournament, at par.