Irish need precision play not heroics

Penina has been described as a course which demands precise rather than heroic shot-making. Unfortunately, neither of those epithets would have fitted the mood of leading Irish challenger, Padraig Harrington, on the eve of the £400,000 Algarve Portuguese Open, starting today.

But the 1966 creation of Henry Cotton, set on a 360-acre estate between Portimao and Lago, stirred decidedly positive feelings in Sam Torrance, who has his heart set on a ninth Ryder Cup appearance at Brookline next September. The 45-year-old Scot was victorious when the event was last played at this venue in 1982.

For good measure, he was the European Tour's Rookie of the Year for 1972, when part of his prize was two weeks with Cotton at his Portuguese retreat. "This is a wonderful layout, a good test and a wonderful part of the world," Torrance enthused yesterday.

Harrington, who is one of five Irish challengers in the field, was a lot less effusive. Wearing wet-gear as protection against an afternoon drizzle and freshening winds, he described Penina as "a long, difficult course, with fast, testing greens."

How did he play? "Awful," came the typically candid reply. What did he score? "Plenty." And by way of anticipating the next question, he added: "I've had a long day and the last thing I need right now is a visit to the practice range."

It all seemed quite a way removed from the promising form suggested by a share of fourth place behind Gerry Norquist in the Malaysian Open last month. And it had to do with that most crucial of golfing skills, timing, which he hoped would benefit from a good night's rest.

Harrington is joined by compatriots Eamonn Darcy, Philip Walton, John McHenry and Des Smyth. Ironically, the two leading Irish finishers last year, Darren Clarke (tied ninth) and Raymond Burns (tied 29th) are both missing for differing reasons.

After his early exit from the Andersen Consulting Matchplay in the US, Clarke failed to get into this week's field as a late entry. And there has been a late withdrawal from Sweden's Patrik Sjoland, whose fine form in reaching the third round at La Costa, earned him an invitation to the Doral Ryder Open.

In the absence of these players, a solid if unspectacular entry is headed by Torrance, Desert Classic winner David Howell and the defending champion Peter Mitchell. It is the 28th year on tour for Torrance, who has played only two competitive rounds so far this year, due to neck and rib injuries.

"I played two rounds in Australia (Heineken Classic) when I should not have played," he said. "It's just age, wear and tear; the injuries seem to have responded to treatment, judging by my form at Sunningdale last weekend, when I shot 67 on the Old and 66 on the New."

Torrance then talked of his enduring fascination with the Ryder Cup. "I'll be there (in Brookline) as a player - there is no doubt in my mind," he said emphatically.

He went on: "There's only going to be three or four places to play for. The top six will remain pretty much the same, but I think there will be some changes down the order. We have so many fine found players now, players like David Howell, Cjeka and Sjoland and others who have yet to make the team."

Howell's determination to add to his victories in the Australian PGA and in Dubai, is reflected in his arrival here last week for three days' practice. "I've been attached here for a year, so I know the course pretty well," said the 23-year-old Englishman, who is now switching his attachment to El Paraiso on Spain's Costa del Sol.

"The Ryder Cup is now definitely my goal for the season," he added.

Paul McGinley has been the only, reasonably productive Irish player in a disappointing season for them so far. And with himself and Clarke both out of the picture this week, it would appear to be time for their colleagues to make a worthwhile move.

But as Harrington has discovered, it's a daunting challenge. The quality of the Penina layout, with trees and water coming into play at almost every hole, suggests that Cotton possessed design skills worthy of his status as a three-time British Open champion.