MILLTOWN'S Francis Howley produced the round of a lifetime yesterday when he shot a career-best 64 on the renowned El Saler links in Valencia. His onslaught on the course rated superior to Ryder Cup venue Valderrama - resulted in eight birdies and an exhibition that came close to rivalling Bernhard Langer's memorable last round in the 1984 Spanish Open.
Langer shot 62 that day - a mark that has subsequently proved impregnable. But the 26-year-old rookie professional gave himself every chance of making history when he careered out in 30 and birdied the 10th to go seven under par, with a long hole and three inviting par fours ahead. However, a boisterous sea breeze over the finishing stretch put a stop to his heroics, and only one more birdie found its way on to his impeccable card. That came at the 14th from a six-iron approach to within two feet of the flag and his eighth single putt.
His ninth was reserved for a par-saver at the difficult 17th, where his long iron tee shot found sand. Hawley not only wiped out the memory of his first round 76, he moved to the fringe of the top ten on four under par, and it was all done with impeccable timing.
The Sligo club where he learnt his golf will today be staging a Charity day for Howley to help finance his campaign on the PGA European Tour.
Hawley had only 27 putts, starting his exhilarating charge by holing from 20 feet at the second. He got home in two at both outward par fives, then ran dawn birdie chances from 10, 12 and five feet just before the turn. When a 40 foot birdie putt dropped at the 10th, his fellow Irishmen deserted their practice sessions to escort him home.
"I have been playing well recently without scoring well," he added. "When I got a good start my confidence just soared. After that outward 30 I was really after Langer's record, but sadly it was not to be.
Neither could he overtake Raymond Burns who had four birdies in the last seven holes of his 71 to head the Irish challenge on 139. Burns, who began at the 10th, had a penalty shot in taking six at the 16th after driving into a bush" and another at his penultimate hole after putting his ball among ice plants.
But he ended with a birdie flourish by hitting a nine-iron to four feet at the ninth. Other bright spots for the Irish were Padraig Harrington's finish to ensure he maintained his 100 per cent record, making his seventh cut in succession, and the continued revival of John McHenry to qualify for the final two rounds.
Harrington was one over par on the 16th tee, but then hit an eight-iron approach to within a foot of the hole, put his two-iron tee shot to the difficult 17th in the heart of the green, and snapped up a birdie three at the last.
McHenry was five over par after 11 holes of his opening round, but three late birdies got him home in 74 and he continued, the good work yesterday. He ended an outward half of 34 with a 12 foot putt for a birdie two, and carefully added nine straight pars for a sound 70 and safety on level par. Des Smyth and David Feherty are both on two under par, the former after returning a second 71, and the latter by means of a par 72.
