Irish survivors do themselves proud

CONSIDERABLE cash was frittered away by Ireland's top three challengers over treacherous finishing holes. But their leader, Darren Clarke, had still done enough to crown a most satisfactory exercise with a share of 11th place for prize money of £27,000.

In the process, he discovered that Padraig Harrington, who finished two strokes back, would be his partner for the World Cup in Cape Town in November. And along with colleague Paul McGinley, tied 14th, the Ulsterman had the further satisfaction of gaining an exemption into next year's championship at Royal Troon, by finishing in the top 15.

But in terms of applause, Eamonn Darcy enjoyed an experience comparable with the winner, as his playing partner, Jack Nicklaus, was cheered to the echo on his last appearance at this venue. Unlike his compatriots, Darcy actually made progress on the homeward journey, sinking putts of 15 feet for birdies at the 12th and 16th, to cover the last seven holes in two under par. But what of playing with Nicklaus? "I could have used some ear muffs," replied Darcy, who collected £7,843 for a share of 33rd place. "The noise level was unbelievable."

It was certainly different to their meeting in the 1981 Ryder Cup at Walton Heath where the great man won by 5 and 3. "Jack seemed to be more concerned with what I did with the putter I used in the matches at Muirfield Village six years later," said Darcy, in a reference to a winning five foot putt against Ben Crenshaw. "I told him I still had it."

As Nicklaus walked off the 18th, he was approached by Royal and Ancient Secretary, Michael Bonallack. Pointing to the excitement of the crowd, Bonallack said: "You'd better do that again." To which Nicklaus replied: "I don't think so. I think I've had enough."

Meanwhile, McGinley was on his way to a final round of 71 and prize money of £20,250. In what had been a wonderful championship for him, he completed the four rounds for the first time in his career; equalled the course record with a 65 on Friday and was actually joint leader with Lehman at the halfway stage. Then, as a bonus, he could claim the distinction of having signed the third round card of the eventual winner, on Saturday afternoon.

Trying to shrug off the disappointment of a bogey, bogey finish, the product of two bunkered tee shots, he said: "It's been a fantastic week. I feel I have taken my game to a new level and I feel confident that it won't be so difficult the next time."

Clarke was one over par for his round when finding bunker trouble for a bogey at the 10th. But he covered the remaining holes in one under, sinking putts of 10 feet for birdies at the 13th and 15th. Down the last, however, he fell victim to one of the right hand bunkers, leading almost inevitably to a bogey.

"I hit an awful lot of good putts out there but only a small percentage of them went in," he said. "Still, it was a fantastic experience to be heading off in the leading groups at lunchtime on the Sunday of an Open. I felt I played "sensibly and I'm delighted that I shot par or better on each of the four days."

Interestingly, Clarke, McGinley and Harrinton, all finished with 71s. Harrington's first concern as he headed for the recorder's hut was how McGinley was faring. That was a measure of how much importance the Stackstown player was placing in making the World Cup team on which Clarke qualified automatically through the Sony World Rankings.

As it happened, Harrington seemed likely to be the highest Irish finisher when he got to seven under par for the championship after a 20 yard pitch at the 13th set up a birdie from four feet. He had earlier birdied the two par fives on the outward journey and the difficult, short 12th.

So, he had reason to be greatly disappointed by three bogeys over tee closing four holes. At the 15th, he was through the green; he three putted the next and he went on to bogey the last where he drove into trouble on the left. "Those shots were very costly, but I'm delighted to have been part of a marvellous occasion," he said. "I know I'm going to learn from this.

In fact the four Irish survivors did themselves proud. More importantly, they made a significant contribution to a memorable championship.