Big day out at the house
A big crowd watched the Lions test in the tented village as Peter Lawrie (picture) and Brett Rumford headed up the 18th. Rumford not happy
Brett Rumford should have been over the moon after Australia’s victory over the Lions.
As hundreds of golf fans watched the big screen in the tented village as the Wallabies beat the Lions 16-15 in the second Test, Rumford three-putted the 18th.
The former Irish Open champion was not happy as the commentary blared out across Carton House as he putted out alongside Peter Lawrie.
Rumford fumed: “It’s a bloody disgrace. This is supposed to be a golf tournament.”
Yes, Minister
European Tour chiefs continue to work hard to convince the Government that the Irish Open is worth the €1.25m of public money.
Justice and Equality Minister Alan Shatter and Sports Minister Michael Ring were both at Carton House yesterday.
Tour spokesman James Finnigan told reporters: “We’re trying to show them how we are promoting Ireland and the Irish Open throughout the world.”
Taoiseach Enda Kenny is expected to be at Carton House today.
Power play
West Waterford’s Seamus Power got into the red with a third round 71.
But he still can’t forget his damaging triple bogey on Friday afternoon.
Power said: “I was in a bunker on the 14th and the ball rebounded and hit me on the foot.
“Guess there’s a first time for everything but that wasn’t in the plan.”
Lawrie under the radar
Peter Lawrie was happy to fly under the radar at Carton House as the big guns got shot down.
The Dubliner was one of Ireland’s forgotten men as the Big Six of Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell, Padraig Harrington, Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley grabbed all the headlines.
After firing seven birdies a five under 67 to go into the final round on six under, Lawrie said: “I hardly got a mention in the build up but you know me, I don’t mind not being in the limelight.”
Rock star
Robert Rock has never won the Irish Open yet he’s won more than €500,000 in nine appearances before this week.
The Englishman took home top prize in 2009 despite losing to amateur Shane Lowry in a play-off at Baltray.
After finishing 74th in 2003, he was 22nd in 2004, fifth in 2006 and then disqualified in 2010 when he signed for an incorrect score.
He shot a 65 in the opening round in Killarney only to discover that his scores for the 14th and 15th had been transposed.
Rock said: “It’s my responsibility to check the card. I can’t tell the difference between a three and four apparently.”