Dodd on verge of success

It's about self belief and wild dreams, but with the underlying struggle of retaining touch with reality. Stephen Dodd captured the essence of golf's fascinating challenge as a second-round 68 left him on 135 and within a stroke of leader Tobias Dier, when the North West of Ireland Open reached halfway at Slieve Russell yesterday.

The Irish challenge remained somewhat muted, with Wexford club professional Damian McGrane joining David Higgins on four under par. But Francis Howley staged a remarkable battle for survival and there was some of the old sparkle from Philip Walton, who avoided card-wrecking errors en route to a second successive 71.

When the cut was made on level par, the same as last year, three other Irishmen - Gary Murphy Des Smyth and John Dignam - survived from an original entry of 14. Meanwhile Howley, at five over par for the tournament after seven holes, actually birdied six of the next 10 for a stunning 68 and a total of 143, a stroke inside the cut.

Smyth's battling qualities were also in evidence when, needing a par on the last to survive on the limit, he did it by sinking a treacherous five-footer. But Dignam went one better with a birdie on the last for survival.

Though the start of play was delayed 90 minutes because of morning fog, conditions became ideal as the day progressed. And as a perfect backdrop, there on a distant hill, the blades of power generators turned lazily in a gentle breeze.

As British Amateur champion 12 years ago, Dodd partnered Garth McGimpsey to a Walker Cup foursomes win over Phil Mickelson and Danny Yates at Peachtree. But a potentially bright professional future, turned into a perennial struggle for the Welshman, whose highest Order of Merit placing was 140th, in 1995.

"The results may not have shown it, but I feel like I have improved every year," he protested yesterday. "That's what keeps me going. I wouldn't be doing it if I didn't think I could make a breakthrough." One could imagine Dodd silently cheering last year when Rolf Muntz, the 1990 British Amateur champion, broke through to victory in the Qatar Masters. So, has his time finally arrived? "We'll just see what the weekend brings," Dodd replied with understandable caution.

Dier, a 24-year-old German, who equalled the course record of 65 en route to fourth place here last year, could be a formidable leader. But Higgins, with three Challenge Tour wins last season, has the skill to mount a serious home challenge, though he appeared disappointed with yesterday's 71, even after finishing with a birdie.

"I'm playing nicely and I like the course," he said afterwards. "In fact all things considered, I'm happy enough with my position at this stage, but I'll need to step up the pace over the weekend."

McGrane birdied only one of the four par fives, the 13th, which he reached with a three wood. But there were sufficient shots of quality to leave him feeling somewhat cheated after a 70. "It could have been a lot lower," he said.

Interprovincal Championship/Report