LAST UPDATE | 9 Jul 2021
PÁDRAIG HARRINGTON IS four shots off the lead at the halfway mark of the Scottish Open after a three-under-par second-round 68, but Rory McIlroy’s preparation for the Open Championship was curtailed as he missed the cut with an even-par 71.
McIlroy’s fellow Co. Down man Cormac Sharvin, meanwhile, is just a shot further back than Harrington after a superb five-under-par second round at the Renaissance Club.
Graeme McDowell also missed the cut after finishing on three over after a 72 on Friday, while Jonathan Caldwell finished up five shots further back on eight over after a 76.
Ryder Cup captain Harrington is in a tie for 11th ahead of Saturday’s third round. He added birdies on three and five to immediately build upon his opening-round 67.
Harrington bogeyed the eighth before bouncing back with birdies on the 10th and 13th. He bogeyed 15 but birdied again at 17, ending his second round on seven under par for the tournament, four shots behind joint leaders Jon Rahm, Jack Senior and Thomas Detry.
Sharvin didn’t drop a shot, registering five birdies as he moved into contention. He enters the third round tied for 16th.
A bogey on the eighth, his penultimate hole, saw McIlroy sign for a round of level-par 71 which left him one-under par overall, a single stroke on the wrong side of the cut.
McIlroy teed off among Friday’s early starters at the Renaissance Club, knowing that he would likely need to at least match his opening round 70 to make it to the weekend.
He looked to be on track with two birdies in his first nine holes — at the 13th and again at the 18th, where he stitched his approach shot to five feet — before dropping his first shot at the first.
A birdie on the second quickly got him back to three-under but further bogeys on the fourth and eighth proved very costly.
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Bernard Jackman, Murray Kinsella and Gavan Casey discuss whether or not the Lions’ tour of South Africa should really be going ahead, the new faces in Andy Farrell’s Ireland team, and Luke Carty’s return in stars and stripes.
I always thought he was one of the outstanding players at Connacht…was surprised to hear that his contract wasn’t being renewed. Good he’s found his form with Munster!
@Con Cussed: very popular with Connacht fans, but we understood with age (32 this month), and recent injury profile it means he was a cost Connacht couldn’t take a risk on. Anyway, with Aki, Forde, Hawkshaw, O’Connor as options, and young Hugh Gavin to come through (sooner rather than later by the way he’s performing every time he steps up a level). Plus, we’ve a bunch of back three lads who’ve played centre as well and can do a job (Jennings, Ralston, and Bolton)…
@Con Cussed: he is an excellent player, but his injury profile probably didn’t help his cause. Getting rid of Daly and Farrell probably freed the funds for POC, who is younger and has a better injury profile. Between Aki, Forde, Hugh Gavin and POC, center is strong for us, not to mention others who can deputise there too like Hawkshaw and Bolton. Farrell is a great signing for Munster – there was a lot of furore from their supporters when Frisch left and Farrell was mooted as a replacement, but in reality I think Farrell is an upgrade on Frisch, who I thought had a poor 2023/24 season (he was excellent in 2022/23). I’ll miss seeing Aki/Farrell in midfield, but glad Farrell got a second opportunity.
@Ronan Byrne: I should have refreshed the page before I commented! You hit the nail straight on the head.
@Con Cussed: of interest too is how in the 2016/17 season, both Connacht and Munster had injuries that needed short term cover – for Munster, NIE Saili was injured and so they signed NIE Taute, while Connacht had its own injury crisis, and being barred from signing NIQ players (as indicated by the Lam situation), signed Farrell on short term from the championship team Bedford Blues. In the end, both Taute and Farrell were exceptional signings and were given long term contracts, but now Munster are in a position to benefit from Connacht developing an IQ player, while the short term fix of Taute had no real long term benefit for Irish Rugby.
Great signing for Munster. Loads to offer on and off pitch.
People on here were quick to jump to the conclusion that Munster were poaching players from Connacht when he signed.
From what I have seen of him so far he looks quite good. I can see him and Nankivell striking up a good partnership. Munster badly needs a settled midfield after constant changing of personnel.
Could turn out to be another Paul Warwick
Fantastic signing. Seems to be getting a run without injury too which does help
He’s an absolutely quality rugby player. Serious skillset. Ireland chance has probably passed now but he’ll get plenty of big days with Munster. Has had some very unfortunately timed injuries in his career.