Padraig endures a watery finish

Atex_Imports

Friday, May 16, 2008

By Peter Hutcheon

It was the 18th which proved decisive when Padraig Harrington won the Irish Open last year £ and the thought of it will be preying on the minds of those in the final few groups on Sunday this year as well.

It yielded a few fours in yesterday's first round £ notably Rory McIlroy's after his brilliant approach over the River Maigue. But there were more than enough bogey sixes £ or worse £ to compensate for that.

At 548 yards it is far from being the longest hole on the course £ that honour falls to the truly monstrous ninth hole which played a full 630 yards into the wind.

But Harrington, who won the title on the 18th green last year after Bradley Dredge could manage only a seven in the play-off, said it was anything but easy.

"It's a hole where you think it might be better to stick it in the rough because that takes going for the green out of the equation," said Harrington

"I think the 18th is a great hole, it really is, but I didn't say I liked it."

The river running alongside the left hand edge of the hole and then across the front of the green is the major cause for concern for anyone thinking of going for it in two and even then it is a tough green to stop the ball anywhere close to the pin.

It cost Harrington all his momentum after he arrived on the tee fresh from back-to-back birdies on the 16th and 17th.

"I drove the ball really well today but then I hit a poor one on the 18th and hit it in the water.

"It's a really difficult tee shot and there are a lot of tough tee shots to fairways that are in the States sometimes three times as wide."

Harrington battled his way round in a level par 72 and if his prediction than nine under will win on Sunday comes true, that leaves him well in contention.

He was five shots off the pace after the first round last year, albeit in very different conditions.

Adare Manor was bathed in glorious sunshine all day with barely a breath of wind but that is set to change over the next couple of days.

Graeme McDowell also had water problems on the 18th as he and Harrington played in front of a massive gallery. It was a tough day for the Ulsterman who has spent the last three weeks away from the Tour.

"I felt as though having had almost a month off like someone had stolen my clubs," he said.

"I can't really play a lot worse than that and that's probably my worst tee-to-green performance in the last 12 months."

Somehow, despite driving the ball erratically all day, McDowell came in with a two over par 74.

"I scrambled really well and holed a few good putts.

"It's a tough track and I don't think this course is going to allow the guys to shoot six under every day.

"If I can shoot three or four under par tomorrow I'm right back in the tournament."