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.
The one time he used an arm in a tackle he nearly decapitated a lad. He’s safer with his no arm efforts, plus he never gets carded for them.
He’s only ‘incredibly regretful’ because a ref finally had the stones to do something about his persistent cheap shots and dreadful technique during a game. Overrated player regardless, I hope he has the book thrown at him.
@Carmine Lorenzo: ah but he’s sorry
@Carmine Lorenzo: terrible challenge but far from overrated
@Stephen Duffy: He’s not as good a 10 as the likes of ‘Barnesey’ and Stephen Jones make out.
@Carmine Lorenzo: ah lads over rated. He is a work horse with a good brain and a winner. He is loyal to a club that yes we all cant abide but he is an outstanding player. Id love if he joined Munster….as unpopular that is to say but we would win a cup
@Carmine Lorenzo: I was surprised to read it was his first red card of his career. He is involved in high tackles quite regularly. Great player but plays on the edge too much for me.
He has been tackling like this for years and never sanctioned for it. He deserves everything he gets too. He’s a brilliant player but he’s a dirty player too.
@Batster: 100% agree. They need to make a statement for whole of rugby here.
His reaction indicated he realised he’d miss the Leinster game, bugger all remorse really. But the Sarries PR machine running to defend him, will ensure he gets the minimum ban possible….
Want to see him play. Class player
@ollie:
@ollie: You’re some fisherman
@Rosco Bosco: always liked him couldn’t care that he’s English. Fellas class on the ball and decapitates attackers. It’s wrong but he’s unreal
@ollie: aggressive kicking game too
@ollie: aw nobody is biting! I’ll help out. What do you mean Ollie? He’s a fouling no good so-and-so! There, is that better?
Ohhh that’s only the 4th …. maybe 5th time we’ve had to hear that sentiment??
@Dave O’Shaughnessy: actually, check how many bans he’s had
@Dave O’Keeffe:
I know, it’s terrible that he’s gotten away with it for so long.
No he is not sorry at all he is a dirty player and he is only sorry because he was been caught. He has got away with dangerous play for far too long. I hope he gets more than a slap on the hand.
Problem here is the fake arm tackle practiced by a huge percentage of today’s rugby players. They clench their muscles
and throw the arm in in what is essentially a hit rather than an attempt to grab the opponent. Unfortunately for Farrell this dodgy technique allied to the player changing direction and height at the moment of the tackle led to this incredibly dangerous tackle! Still lots of work to be done on tackle technique and defensive coaches expectations!
@CARMODY Neil: very well said.
Incredible knob
His good disciplinary record, are you having a laugh. At last a ref with the guts to stop him.
@Ian James Burgess: what do you mean the guts to stop him
It was a reckless challenge and the worst referee on the planet no matter how incompetent would have to send him off
A long time coming. Talented player but have absolutely no time for him. Filthy player.
So there is low medium and high level and if his is eventually classed as mid, what would high actually be? It would have to be a very frightening outcome it seems. Let’s just wait and see how much they are genuinely stamping out this kind of low life thug.
Big cj stander will shake him off his leg again
I am me….I can do this stuff……I am untouchable…..oh gosh, mebbe not!
Very poor tackling technique. Leads to fouls and dangerous play. Bout time he was sanctioned
Class act marred by cheap shots.
He’ll probably only get a two match ban
He’s a dirt tackler.