An excellent round of 64 saw David Howell surge to the top of the leaderboard at the Irish Open and he now shares the overnight lead with Richard Green and Simon Dyson ahead of the final day of action.
Two consecutive 69s left Howell a little off the pace and joint 25th starting out on Saturday morning. However, a flawless round that included seven birdies – five on the back nine – brought the English golfer right back in contention.
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Dyson and Green had five birdies and one bogey apiece and all three lie on eleven under-par, two shots ahead of Scotland’s Stephen Gallacher on nine-under. Ross Fisher is one of a trio of players a further stroke back, along with Soren Hansen and German Marcel Siem.
Best of the Irish is Peter Lawrie on seven-under. He will reflect on what might have been though, as just as he seemed likely to mount a challenge to the leaders a double bogey six on the 13th halted his momentum. The Dubliner did collect birdies on 16 and 17 but another dropped shot on the par-4 18th left him four strokes off the pace ahead of Sunday’s final round.
An eagle three on 16 saw Michael Hoey make a move up the leaderboard late on and he finished the day in a share of 16th with compatriot and leading amateur Paul Cutler, who also picked up two shots on the same hole.
Simon Thornton is on four-under, while a double bogey early on in his round prevented Graeme McDowell from picking up any real form during his day’s efforts. He ended up with a one-over-par round of 71 and lies on -3 along with US Open champion Rory McIlroy.
The Holywood man had the crowds trailing around the Killarney course after him once again; he could not have had a worst start to his day though – a double bogey on his opening hole, followwed by a bogey on three, birdies on five and seven before another double bogey on the 8th.
Afterwards, Howell, who played alongside McIlroy, said he was happy with his day.
“I’ve not been in the best of form for quite some time, so I was intrigued how I was going to be playing with Rory. He’s the star of world golf, but there were no nerves and the crowds were amazing. I think I got inspiration from the big-time atmosphere. I did everything really well and it was great.”
Three-way tie for Irish Open lead
An excellent round of 64 saw David Howell surge to the top of the leaderboard at the Irish Open and he now shares the overnight lead with Richard Green and Simon Dyson ahead of the final day of action.
Two consecutive 69s left Howell a little off the pace and joint 25th starting out on Saturday morning. However, a flawless round that included seven birdies – five on the back nine – brought the English golfer right back in contention.
Dyson and Green had five birdies and one bogey apiece and all three lie on eleven under-par, two shots ahead of Scotland’s Stephen Gallacher on nine-under. Ross Fisher is one of a trio of players a further stroke back, along with Soren Hansen and German Marcel Siem.
Best of the Irish is Peter Lawrie on seven-under. He will reflect on what might have been though, as just as he seemed likely to mount a challenge to the leaders a double bogey six on the 13th halted his momentum. The Dubliner did collect birdies on 16 and 17 but another dropped shot on the par-4 18th left him four strokes off the pace ahead of Sunday’s final round.
An eagle three on 16 saw Michael Hoey make a move up the leaderboard late on and he finished the day in a share of 16th with compatriot and leading amateur Paul Cutler, who also picked up two shots on the same hole.
Simon Thornton is on four-under, while a double bogey early on in his round prevented Graeme McDowell from picking up any real form during his day’s efforts. He ended up with a one-over-par round of 71 and lies on -3 along with US Open champion Rory McIlroy.
The Holywood man had the crowds trailing around the Killarney course after him once again; he could not have had a worst start to his day though – a double bogey on his opening hole, followwed by a bogey on three, birdies on five and seven before another double bogey on the 8th.
Afterwards, Howell, who played alongside McIlroy, said he was happy with his day.
“I’ve not been in the best of form for quite some time, so I was intrigued how I was going to be playing with Rory. He’s the star of world golf, but there were no nerves and the crowds were amazing. I think I got inspiration from the big-time atmosphere. I did everything really well and it was great.”
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David Howell Golf Irish Open Killarney Kings Richard Green Simon Dyson