Predictions of low scoring and a prominent Irish presence at the business end of the leaderboard proved accurate on the opening day of the 3 Irish Open at Killarney where Damien McGrane moved to within one shot of the overnight lead held by England’s David Howell.McGrane was in illustrious company in an all-Irish group alongside three-time major winner Pádraig Harrington and US Open champion Graeme McDowell but outscored both his compatriots with a flawless six under 65.
The Meath native, who has been playing steady golf this season, took his opportunities and kept his composure in front of the home crowds.
“I really enjoyed it out there, especially playing alongside Pádraig (Harrington) and Graeme (McDowell). To play well was a bonus and it’s easy to get carried away with the atmosphere of playing in front of your home crowds,” said McGrane.
“I’ve been playing solid golf for a long time so I just went out there and tried to let it happen. The only downside was I smothered a couple of drives which is unlike me.
“The Irish lads all like to give it a bit extra this week but golf’s a funny game, you just have to stay focused for there is still a long way to go,” added McGrane, who was tied for second alongside Australia’s Richard Green and one behind Howell, who leads on seven under after his 64.
Howell, down at 479th in the world – he was ninth four years ago, has been plagued by injury and poor form in recent times but emerged from the wilderness in the Kingdom.
“I’ve never wanted to give up, but it’s crossed my mind that if I carry on playing as I did last year I wouldn’t have a career to be worried about,” said the 35-year-old.
He has even turned to television commentary and after-dinner speaking, but when asked if the comedy circuit was becoming a possible alternative Howell replied: “Not yet – I think my golf’s been a bit of a comedy for the last couple of years.”
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Howell chipped in for one of his five birdies and claimed an eagle on the 16th in a blemish-free round.
“I’ve been dying to get off to a good start,” added Howell. “I’ve been working hard and persevering but it’s not been paying off.”
Harrington opened with a three under 68 compared to McDowell’s 70 and said the course was there for the taking given the conditions.
“The greens were soft and no wind so it was playing as easy as it’s going to play. That said it was still a good test,” said Harrington, who was alongside Paul McGinley on three under.
McGinley threatened to go very low after he picked up birdies at the second, third, sixth before adding an eagle at the eighth. However bogeys at nine and 18 dropped the Dubliner back to three under.
Darren Clarke was the leading Irishman in the early part of the day after he carded a bogey-free 66 when playing alongside tournament favourite Rory McIlroy.
Clarke gave his young prodigy an illustration of fine scoring on the Killeen course touted as an “easy venue” where low scoring is the order of the week in the €3million tournament. That may be the case but fairways and greens still need to be hit and putts have to be holed to make a decent score.
For Clarke there were no such problems. The 41-year-old was the model of consistency as he hit every green in regulation. His card showed three birdies on the front nine and two on the back.
Should Clarke maintain this recent run of good form he could play his way onto Colin Montgomerie’s Ryder Cup team rather than acting as one of his vice-captains.
He is currently 21st in the standings but there are a 500,000 points on offer this week. A win would also qualify him for next week’s WGC Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, Ohio.
Clarke was also told this week that he has been given an invitation to play in the year’s final major, the USPGA Championship at Whistling Straits from August 12th.
“It was a great bonus to get the information they (the USPGA) had invited me before the (Irish Open) started,” said Clarke, who was later joined on five under by Michael Hoey. “I hit 18 greens in regulation today.”
As for Clarke’s playing partner, McIlroy was not going to be totally outdone as he returned a four under 67 to remain well-placed. The 21-year-old’s round was less consistent as he traded eight birdies against four bogeys.
Howell assumed the lead from Green after the left hander led for much of the afternoon. Howell also had a flawless day in the Kingdom as he enjoyed five birdies and an eagle at the par five 16th.
Green’s card showed seven birdies and just one dropped shot at the ninth.
“There are some courses out there that have got so long over the last few years, I feel a bit inferior because I’m not a long hitter,” said Green. “This is a nice old course, for a change, a little bit old school.”
There are 26 Irish players competing in Killarney, including defending champion Shane Lowry, who could only manage a three-over 74. England’s Robert Rock, who lost in a play-off to Lowry in Baltray last year, was disqualified for signing his scorecard when inverted scores on two holes were incorrectly recorded.
Last year’s Ulster PGA champion, Barrie Trainor, signed for an opening 69, two better than Simon Thornton and Gareth Maybin and three better than Peter Lawrie, David Higgins, Damian Mooney and amateur , Alan Dunbar.
Portstewart amateur Paul Cutler and Colm Moriarty carded 73s, with local Daniel Sugrue on three over to join Lowry.
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Tags: Damien McGrane, the Irish Open
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