Paul Gallagherreports from Druids Glen
Britain and Ireland extended their lead to 8-4 midway through the second day of the Seve Trophy but the event¿s namesake grabbed all the headlines producing some of his old magic after teaming up with Jose Maria Olazabal to beat the Irish form pair, Padraig Harrington and Paul McGinley.
As expected the match shaped up into a fine matchplay tussle. Ballesteros, the European captain, surprisingly found himself as the steady half of the Spanish partnership early in the round, holding the Irishmen at bay while Olazabal found his rhythm.
The home pair managed to get back on level terms by the turn, in one-under 35, having been one down twice, but Olazabal immediately followed with some magic. The 36-year-old pitched in from just off the 10th green to win the hole with a birdie.
The 11th was a putting showdown after all four players surrounded the hole. Eventually Olazabal holed from 12 feet for birdie which required McGinley to respond from six feet to avoid going two-down, which he did. McGinley proceeded to miss at tricky eight footer downhill at the next to square the match
The way Ballesteros played the notoriously difficult 13th epitomised the struggling Spaniard's game. Carving the ball right off the tee necessitated Ballesteros taking a penalty drop away from the stream. From a hanging lie he then produced a miraculous three-wood onto the green pin-high and duly drained the putt for par and the half. The man simply revels in the almost impossible.
Ballesteros won the next with a birdie to go 2-up before Harrington tried to force the situation at the 15th. He holed a fine 20foot birdie putt but Olazabal responded from six feet to keep the advantage.
All the excitement was kept for the par three 17th where Ballesteros, the wizard of the short game, pitched in from the bunker to win the match 2&1. It reduced Olazabal to his knees to gesture a worship to the great man. You couldn't have scripted it.
"It was vintage Seve and Ollie, they had five putts in eight holes. What can you do against that," said McGinley.
"That was classic matchplay, Seve's shot to finish was unbelievable," said Harrington who didn't get the opportunity to attempt his four foot birdie chance and take the match up the last.
"Yes it was a memorable day for us both playing together," said Ballesteros who enjoyed his finish. "It was a fantastic way to finish a special match, the Irish boys played really well too."
Earlier, Montgomerie led by example to win his fourball encounter 4&3 alongside Ian Woosnam against Sweden's, Robert Karlsson and Mathias Gronberg. Montgomerie was the dominant half of the successful partnership, featuring in all but two holes in the match.
The experienced campaigners put the squeeze on their opponents by the time they passed the turn. Three birdies on the trot from the eighth, without reply from the Swedes, gave the home side a three hole lead. A further Montgomerie birdie at the par four 15th concluded the tie.
"It was hard work, especially at the beginning when you are trying to get used to the conditions," explained Woosnam who was drenched during his round. "We dovetailed nicely and Monty played very solid, not making any mistakes."
Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood, playing for the third straight match had to complete the full 18 holes against Miguel Angel Jimenez and Raphael Jacquelin. The Spaniard holed his pitch for birdie at the 17th to level the match. Clarke produced an immaculate long iron into 10feet at the last, setting up his par to win 1-up.
The two Paul's, Casey and Lawrie, lost the opening hole against Thomas Bjorn and Niclas Fasth but after getting back on level terms by the fourth they were never behind from there on. A Casey, Lawrie birdie combination at 14th and 15th put them two up and halving the next two was enough to secure the second home point of the day 2&1.
The afternoon foursomes tee-times were put back due to slow play. Some morning rounds took almost six hours.