Padraig Harrington steals the show at Irish Open with sizzling 63
Padraig Harrington made the most of a return to home soil as he grabbed a two-shot lead on the opening day of the Irish Open in County Clare.
The 47-year-old Irishman thrilled the home crowds and further underlined his reputation as a stellar links player with a stunning seven-under-par 63 in bright and sunny conditions at Lahinch Golf Club.
https://twitter.com/EuropeanTour/status/1146835191266250758
Birdies at the second and fifth holes were followed by three straight gains at the eighth, ninth and 10th, before he dropped his first and only shot of the day at the par-3 11th.
But Harrington quickly erased any further loss of momentum with back-to-back birdies at 12 and 13 to race into the lead on six under, and a closing birdie at the par-5 18th after a sublime chip out of a greenside bunker was the icing on the cake.
https://twitter.com/EuropeanTour/status/1146851686276878337
It was his lowest first round on the European Tour for 18 years, and his lowest ever in the Irish Open.
Afterwards, he couldn’t help but take a dig at his 100/1 odds prior to the start of the tournament.
“It was a stroll in the park 63,” said the Ryder Cup captain. “I couldn’t have asked for more in shooting a low one. It seemed easy. I got a few breaks.
“Someone said I was 100/1 – they’re pretty good odds. Only a fool would discount me on a links.”
Imagine the scenes if Harrington is leading down the stretch come Sunday…#DDFIrishOpen #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/4E3jPYoEX1
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) July 4, 2019
Several players are tied for second, two shots back, including Australian Wade Ormsby, Frenchman Mike Lorenzo-Vera, and English duo Lee Slattery and Eddie Pepperell.
An even bigger group follows a further shot behind – home favourite Shane Lowry; a resurgent Martin Kaymer, chasing a spot in the Open; and two more Englishmen, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood.
Some big names follow on three under, including Spaniard Jon Rahm, the highest ranked player in the field, and England’s Tommy Fleetwood, the second highest.
Track the latest live scores from the Irish Open by heading over to our LIVE score centre!
Latest
-
The OpenTiger Woods gets real about age and health but vows to win again
Tiger Woods was very honest about the state of his game after his missed cut at The Open, but made it clear he’s not done winning either.
-
-
The OpenRory McIlroy holds back tears after so nearly making Portrush cut
He so very nearly pulled off a remarkable escape act, but in the end Rory McIlroy left himself too much to do to make The Open cut.
-
The OpenJB Holmes and Shane Lowry lead The Open as Rory bows out in style
After four straight missed cuts in the Open, Shane Lowry has well and truly turned things at Royal Portrush this week.
-
The OpenFleetwood, Westwood and Rose flying the British flag at Portrush
British hopes will be resting on Tommy Fleetwood, Lee Westwood and Justin Rose at The Open this weekend.
-
The OpenExhausted Tiger “just wants to go home” after missing Open cut
Despite a much better showing at The Open on Friday, an exhausted Tiger Woods admitted he couldn’t wait to get home after missing the cut.
-
The OpenBrooks Koepka not happy with putting form but still in the hunt
Brooks Koepka isn’t sure why he’s not making any putts so far this week, but admitted he was “frustrated” and “disappointed” by it.
-
The OpenBrandel Chamblee: Rory choked, the moment was too big for him
Golf analyst Brandel Chamblee didn’t hold back when describing Rory McIlroy’s first-round performance at the Open Championship on Thursday.
-
The OpenJB Holmes leads Shane Lowry at the Open as Koepka starts ominously
A closing birdie handed JB Holmes a one-shot lead over Shane Lowry at the Open on Thursday, but Brooks Koepka is right behind them.
-
The OpenTiger grimaces his way through a 78 to all but sink Open chances
Tiger Woods more than likely won’t be a factor at Portrush this week, after an opening 78 left him right near the bottom of the leaderboard.