Appleby unable to bring down Woods with laser

It seemed outrageous that anybody might have had the effrontery to dull some of the Tiger's glitter. But Stuart Appleby could be deemed to have at least smudged it somewhat by shooting a nine-under-par 63 when the J P McManus Invitational Pro-Am 2000 was completed at Limerick GC yesterday.

Predictably, Woods took top prize of £33,330 sterling from the professional fund when he added a 68 to Monday's course-record 64 for a 36-hole aggregate of 132 - 12 under par.

And the Australian had no chance of upsetting the apple-cart, so to speak, as he had been disqualified for a breach of Rule 14-3, covering artificial devices and unusual equipment, on Monday.

Had Appleby's rounds of 66 and 63 stood, however, it would have meant the unthinkable outcome of a three-stroke defeat for the world number one.

As it happened, PGA European Tour official Tony Gray informed the player of the breach yesterday morning after it had been reported that Appleby was seen using a laser measuring device during competition. The penalty was disqualification from the singles competition, but he was eligible to continue in the team event.

So, did yesterday's 63 beat Woods' record of Monday?

"Absolutely," said Limerick GC treasurer Billy Rice. "Most definitely," said club member Jack Lynch, who happens to be chairman of the Munster Branch GUI. "It's a matter for the club," said Gray.

But wouldn't it be a pity not to be displaying a round by the greatest player of his generation on the clubhouse wall? Rice came up with a Limerick solution to a Limerick problem. "We'll put up both of them," he said with an air of finality.

Though Appleby's round, which started on the second, didn't count in the grand scheme of things, it was notable in that it ended in a run of seven threes - a birdie, a par and five further birdies. There were 11 birdies and two bogeys in all, and only 24 putts were necessary on wonderful greens.

"I honestly wasn't aware there was a professional competition; I thought I was playing only for my amateur partners," said Appleby. "I just wanted to entertain the public and keep my amateurs happy. But, naturally, I accept the decision. I didn't come here for the money."

Though Woods' play was relatively muted compared with Monday's exploits, he continued to enjoy the occasion. And he had a rather interesting exchange on the eighth, with the group's marker, former interprovincial Ivan Morris.

"What was our team score at the hole?" Woods inquired. "Tree," replied Morris in the Irish way. "Surely you mean three," replied the American. "Whatever you say, Tiger," Morris agreed.

Some of Woods' more notable shots in windy but sunny conditions, were drives of 330 yards and 340 yards at the 10th and seventh, and a glorious, eight-iron second shot of no fewer than 199 yards onto the green at the 483-yard par-five second.

Meanwhile, given that teams paid £40,000 to enter the event, it was ironic that the winning line-up actually got in for nothing - by coming through a local qualifying event. Nicholas Hayes, Pat Hartigan and Pat Nagle, emerged from a tournament organised by the Charleville and District Association for the Handicapped.

Led by Christy O'Connor and Mark O'Meara over the two days, they had a total of 96 points, which worked out at 24-underpar for 36 holes.