As the Murphy’s Irish Open reaches the halfway point, the name on top of the leaderboard has a familiar, almost reassuring ring to it.
Colin Montgomerie, a back-to-back winner in 1996 and 1997 and a two-time runner up, consolidated his position at the top and at 10-under-par maintains his two shot advantage going into the weekend.
By his own admission, the Scot loves playing in Ireland and it’s not just for the hospitality or the craic. A quick glance at the results he has enjoyed on these shores tells you all you need to know.
With the exception of last year, when he chose not to tackle the famous links at Ballybunion, the 38-year-old has not finished outside the top ten in this event since Mount Juliet in 1994.
So when, even in the midst of an appalling season, he broke the course record here yesterday to lead the event it was wise to assume that he would not be dislodged from the number one spot easily.
Not that it was all plain sailing for the world number nine this morning.With a fresh, swirling breeze the players found treacherous to judge Montgomerie found it tough to get going.
"It is difficult to go out in blustery conditions after a 63 and expect to do the same again," he said. "The wind got worse as the morning progressed and the pin positions were tougher. I think it was two shots at least more difficult, so I'm pleased I got back to two ahead again."
Starting on the 10th, Montgomerie was in trouble by his third hole, where he found water, and a shot had slipped away. Another went at the 17th but a birdie at the 18th saw him reach the turn in one over par, five strokes more than yesterday.
For a couple of holes the body language suggested that perhaps his return to form had been fleeting. The shoulders were in danger of hunching over, a scowl appearing, albeit briefly, across his features.
But a birdie at the par five 4th (his 13th) lightened the mood and suddenly the head was being held high. The 5th, another par five, yielded another birdie and when he played his approach to within one foot at the 6th it was 10-under par and business as usual.
Afterwards Montgomerie was upbeat about his chances.
"Tomorrow is a very important day for me here, whatever the weather is like," he said."My goal is to be two ahead again, no matter what I score."
And while his 69 may not have appeared spectacular at the time, as the day progressed the numbers started looking better and better.
Of all the late starters only Sweden’s Fredrik Henge was able to make any inroads into the Scot’s lead with most, including all of the Irish contingent, falling away.
Whereas this morning Anthony Wall, Thomas Bjorn, Barry Lane and Thomas Levet all posted sub par rounds to keep in touch, the stiff afternoon wind wreaked havoc on the scorecards of many a first round contender.
The one exception was Henge, a relative unknown who followed up his 65 yesterday with a 70 this afternoon. Stoney, as he is known in the caddyshack due to his surname, was delighted with his play, particularly as so many others were struggling to break par.
Not so happy were Eamonn Darcy, Padraig Harrington, Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley, Ireland’s only representatives for the weekend, the rest of the 21 starters missing the cut.
The four survivors were well placed among the late starters today but all appeared to be carrying hangovers from the wave of enthusiasm that swept through Fota yesterday at the prospect of a home winner.
None could manage to close the deficit on Montgomerie, with Darcy falling away badly after a round of 75. Clarke and McGinley were both fortunate to make the cut with a birdie at the last saving Clarke from the ignobility of an extended weekend at home.
And what of defending champion, Patrik Sjoland?
The Swede has endured a torrid time since lifting the crystal trophy 12 months ago and his fortune doesn’t appear to be taking an upturn in Cork.
A three-under-par round of 68, including seven birdies, was certainly one of the scores of the day but was still only good enough to move to one-under for the tournament. Given the calibre of players between him and Montgomerie the chances of challenging come Sunday evening appear bleak.
