From Paul Gallagher at the K-Club
John Dwyer continued where he left off last night by forging ahead into a share of the early lead on day two of the Smurfit European Open at the K-Club in County Kildare.
The Ashbourne club professional, who won the PGA Irish Region Order of Merit to qualify this week, picked up two birdies in his first three holes this morning. Added to last night’s 69 he joins two of the overnight leaders Darren Fichardt from South Africa and New Zealand’s Michael Campbell for a share of top spot.
Campbell was initially left to play the remainder of his round on his own when both his playing partners reneged with injury. Sweden’s Pierre Fulke retired complaining of a sore wrist while Philip Price called it a day after 10 holes with a stiff neck. American Fred Funk, however, playing in the group behind, left to join Campbell.
Suffice to say both injured players were 12 and eight-over respectively, lets hope the injuries were genuine for the sake of sportsmanship. Either way, it will hardly impress the European Ryder Cup captain Sam Torrance who observed two of his team members walking wounded.
Dwyer, brother to the jockey Mark Dwyer who won two Cheltenham Gold Cups, said yesterday, "I made a great start and now I have to go out and try to do the same again," which he clearly is doing given his early numbers.
The defending champion, Darren Clarke, is still unhappy with his touch on the greens but the Tyroneman has stuck to the task, in what are wet and miserable conditions, to pick up a shot today. A bogey at the 13th, his fourth, was followed by birdies at the 15th and 17th to get back to one-over overall.
Campbell made initial advances with a birdie at the 12th after starting on the back nine.
Dwyer (28) was spearheading the 13-strong Irish challenge and looked to be inspiring other young hopefuls like Graeme McDowell. The 22-year-old, who only turned pro last month birdied the first and the fourth to get back to one-over.
Ronan Rafferty was disqualified after playing the wrong ball at the seventh and - not realising the error - proceeded to tee off at the eighth.
Philip Walton was one over after 12 holes to be three-over overall.
