Smyth In Benhavis Masters Mix

A three under par round on Friday secured Des Smyth a seven way share of 5th place at the Benhavis Senior Masters, as the first round got under way at La Quinta Golf and Country Club, dropping just the one shot on last green.

Philip Walton traded birdies and bogeys in equal measure on the opening day to finish  level par.

Denis O'Sullivan was one stroke further adrift after signing for a 72.

The field however was left in the slipstream of Mark Mouland who carded a record-equalling seven under par round of 64 to hold a  one shot lead overnight.

The Welshman, in his second full season on the European Senior Tour, is chasing his second title and a bogey free round gave him the perfect start as he finished the day a shot clear of the in-form Chris Williams.

Mouland began with back to back birdies before five successive birdies from the seventh hole left him seven under through 11 holes and he cruised home with seven pars to sign for a 64, which equalled the course record set by Boonchu Ruangkit on his way to victory at La Quinta two years ago.

“I putted really lovely,” said the two-time European Tour winner. “I had a couple of good chances at the 17th and 18th but I’d have taken seven under all day long. There was no panic at all and it could actually have been two or three better but it’s not an easy course, especially on the greens.

“I was trying to birdie every hole but the greens are tough to read. I've been playing well and played well in America last week so I'm not surprised with that round to be honest.”

Earlier in the day, Williams took the clubhouse lead after a six under par round of 65, courtesy of a birdie on the fourth hole, which was followed by a bogey, before a superb run of four successive birdies from the seventh hole preceded another gained shot on the 12th and an eagle on the par five 14th.

A bogey on the 17th hole left the South African in second place on six under as he searches for his second Senior Tour title in as many years.

“I started off quite slow and was level par after six holes,” said the 53 year old, who finished tied second at the season-opening Mallorca Open Senior two weeks ago before a tied 25th place finish at the US Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid. “I put the four birdies together then and I was giving myself plenty of opportunities so I could be aggressive with my putter, and I putted well too.

“There are a couple of tough holes out there but if you play nicely here you’ll go low and the putting will be the difference.

“It’s about momentum. Once you gain momentum you start to go with it and on the seventh I hit a great drive and chipped and putted and that drive started me off really.”

Delroy Cambridge was a shot further back alongside Anders Forsbrand after they carded respective five under par rounds of 66. Cambridge’s round, which he described as one of his best rounds in three years, included no less than seven birdies and, like Williams, he put his success down to his putting.

“I putted really well today,” said the Jamaican, “I missed two putts that I thought I should have made but otherwise I made everything. I didn’t hit the ball great, it was decent on the front nine and not so great on the back nine but I made some putts to save the round.

“That’s one of the best rounds I've had in the three years since my last win. In the last couple of years the putter has let me down and today I made more putts than I have in a long time so it feels good that I can do that.”

He was joined later in the day by Swede Forsbrand, whose six birdies and one bogey contributed to a positive start as he looks to improve on his 55th place finish in the 2011 Senior Tour Order of Merit.There were seven players three shots off the lead on four under par, including former Ryder Cup Captain Mark James, Tony Johnstone of Zimbabwe and Gary Wolstenholme, the winner of the season’s first tournament in Mallorca.

McGrane and Thornton Best in Wales

Damien McGrane and Simon Thornton led the Irish challenge at the ISPS Handa Wales Open at the end of Friday in tough conditions on the Ryder Cup Course at The Celtic Manor.

McGrane carved out level par round of 71 to move up the field with Thornton dropping two shots on the second day to moved the other way, signing for a 73. Not bad given that more than 20 players failed to break 80 in the opening round of the Wales Open and the scoring was such on Friday that the cut matched the US Masters at Augusta in April.

Despite that there two Irish casualties, Gareth Maybin with a score of  76, and Michael Hoey also carding a 76 after a double bogey added to his woes on the 14th.

However Peter Lawrie and Paul McGinley fared better finishing+ 3 on Friday and inside the cut.

Englishman Ross Fisher though was inspired by his previous Ryder Cup success at The Celtic Manor Resort and opened up a two shot lead on day two.

Fisher, who started the tournament with a solid 70 yesterday, recovered from a bogey on his opening hole - the par five 11th - by firing six birdies in a welcome return to form.

Since helping Europe to Ryder Cup glory at this venue in 2010, the Englishman has slipped out of the world’s top 150, but is now well placed to push for a fifth European Tour victory.

After completing a sizzling 66 that put him two clear of overnight leader Lee Slattery, Fisher said: “It's always nice to come back to good hunting ground, familiar turf. The Ryder Cup was a great experience, I played really well that week and enjoyed it.

“There are certain spots that you think, yeah, the pin was there in The Ryder Cup, or I hit it here and holed this putt, or hit that shot from here. You do try and remember those memories, and feed them into a positive outcome for this week.

“I have some fond memories and I've had some decent results here, but it's a course that I feel should suit me.”

Fisher revealed his Ryder Cup experience had helped him to birdie the par three third today.

He explained: “I hit a nice six iron below the hole to about 12 feet, 15 feet and made that. I actually felt like I was going to hole that because I think either I had that putt or Poults had that in The Ryder Cup, so I knew exactly where I was going to hit it. There was no way I was missing that one.”

Having failed to find his best form in recent times, Fisher is hoping he can build on an impressive performance so far this week.

“Unfortunately last year was disappointing and so far this year, nothing has really happened,” he acknowledged.

“So I need to try and turn that around and hopefully this will be the start of a big summer for me.”

Slattery endured a difficult start after resuming on four under, with bogeys at the third, sixth and eighth threatening to undermine his good work on day one.

An eagle at the 11th, together with birdies on the ninth and 13th, helped him to recover, however, and he picked up another shot at the last to post 71.

“I think the eagle on 11 was the turning point in the round,” Slattery admitted.

“The swing certainly didn't feel as good as yesterday. I hit a lot of shots left but just managed to bounce back well.”

Paraguay’s Fabrizio Zanotti initially joined Slattery on four under following a sensational run of five birdies in six holes from the 18th.

He bogeyed his final hole, the tenth, but still signed for a 69 to share third with Chris Wood, who picked up four shots on the front nine en route to 67, and Thongchai Jaidee.

Dutchman Tim Sluiter was a shot further back and remained upbeat despite bogeying three of his last five holes.

“On this course, anything around par is a good score,” said Sluiter. “I’m very pleased where I am, and I kept myself in it.”

Scoring was much improved in the calmer and warmer conditions and the round of the day belonged to France’s Raphaël Jacquelin, who improved on his opening 76 by 11 shots to climb into a tie for eighth on one under.

Matteo Manassero, who matched Jacquelin’s day one score, also bounced back well with a 68, but the most remarkable fightback came from Graeme Storm.

Having gone round in 80 yesterday, which included a ten at the 18th, Storm put together a bogey free 67 to get just inside the cut mark at five over.

Edoardo Molinari and former US Open Champion Michael Campbell were a shot worse off and therefore missed the weekend.

Leaderboard

Reed Wins at Galgorm Castle

Paul Reed carded a two-under-par 70 in the Final Round of the Ulster Bank Open to claim the winner’s cheque at Galgorm Castle.

It was Reed’s second career 888poker.com PGA EuroPro Tour title after victory at Fota Island last year.

Reed (Bristol & Clifton Golf Club) began the final day one shot behind the lead after carding first and second rounds of 68 and 66 respectively.

He kicked off his final round with a birdie three at the first and gained another shot at the fourth. 

A third birdie came at the 10th but the Bristol golfer stuttered with a bogey at 17.

Overnight leader Scott Fallon (Lightning Packaging Supplies Ltd) started well with a par at the first and a birdie three at the second. But bogeys at five and 12 allowed those around him the opportunity to leapfrog the Londoner to top spot on the leaderboard and he finished tied eighth on -7 after signing for a Final Round score of 76.

James Hepworth (Ilkley Golf Club) was third at the start of the day and birdies at two, three and four set him up for a strong finish. He stuttered with a bogey five at the sixth but recovered with a birdie at the ninth. However, the 2010 Galgorm Castle winner slipped again with a bogey at 10 and fell further behind the leaders with a six on the par-four 11th. He concluded his round on par 72 to finish tied sixth on eight under par.

Elliot Saltman (Archerfield Links) carded 67 to finish tied second with George Woolgar on -11. The Scotsman carded seven birdies and two bogeys on Friday to record the best Final Round of the top-ten finishers after a strong finish with shots gained at 17 and 18.

Woolgar (Capitalservices/F Ball) also finished his round strongly with three birdies on the last four holes allowing him to sign for a 69.

It meant Reed needed to par the 18th to avoid sending the tournament to a play off and despite feeling the pressure in front of a strong Galgorm Castle crowd the Englishman managed to sink a short putt for victory.

“I was a bit of a nervous wreck on the last two holes,” he admitted. “But the first 16 holes were really good for me, it was probably the best I’ve hit the ball this year.

“I made a point of not looking at the leaderboards but I started asking people at the 16th hole and that’s when I started to become nervous and looking back I probably shouldn’t have asked to be honest!

“One I had knocked my ball to within two and a half feet I felt I would be able to get it in, though I still nearly missed it!

“I am incredibly happy to win at Galgorm Castle. It’s a great venue and always feels like a big event for us. There aren’t many multiple winners on the EuroPro Tour so I am very happy to be a two-time winner.”

Plenty of Water for 2012 Irish Open

Ballygowan Natural Mineral Water has today announced a new and exclusive three year agreement with The European Tour as the Official Water and Soft Drinks supplier to the Irish Open.

The sponsorship announcement comes as the prestigious event is set to return to Northern Ireland for the first time in nearly sixty years. The world class Royal Portrush Golf Club will host the 2012 Irish Open from June 28-July 1.

The agreement of the iconic Irish brand and leader in the Irish bottled water market with the Tour aims to capitalise on the unprecedented success and continued domination of home grown players on The European Tour including World Number Two Rory McIlroy, reigning Open Champion Darren Clarke, former US Open Champion Graeme McDowell and three-time Major winner Padraig Harrington.

Kevin Donnelly, Marketing Director Britvic Ireland said: “Ballygowan Natural Mineral Water is thrilled to be sponsoring the Irish Open. 

"We have a long and proud tradition of supporting sporting events across the island of Ireland and in this momentous year as the eyes of the world continue to focus on Northern Ireland’s world class players there has never been a better time to be associated with golf, the golfing world and this very special Championship." 

James Finnigan, Commercial Director of the Irish Open said; “We are delighted to continue our long established relationship with Ballygowan and look forward to join forces with them at Royal Portrush to ensure a highly successful return to Northern Ireland for the Irish Open”.

Heineken Continue Irish Open Support

The European Tour announced Heineken as an Official Sponsor to the Irish Open, to be played at Royal Portrush Golf Club from June 28 – July 1.

Heineken owns and manages one of the world’s leading portfolios of beer brands and is recognised and respected for its high profiled and valued sponsorship portfolios: The Heineken Cup/Rugby World Cup/UEFA Champions League. 

Nearer home, it is the Official Beer Partner to Ulster Rugby and Ravenhill Stadium.

The company reinforces its relationship with professional golf in Ireland further committing its partnership with The Irish Open Championships for the staging in 2013 and 2014.

Pat Maher, National Sponsorship & Events Manger for Heineken Ireland, said: “We are delighted to once again have the opportunity to present Heineken at this prestigious sporting event. The Irish Open is respected throughout Europe by the professional golfers and spectators alike.

“The special significance of Royal Portrush, its world-renowned links and unique beauty will enhance the staging of the tournament. Last years event was truly special – and who can forget the images shown across the world from that most treasured location.”

James Finnigan of The European Tour, Commercial Director for the Irish Open, said: “The European Tour is pleased to secure Heineken’s multi-year commitment as an Official Sponsor of the Irish Open. Given their support of the Heineken Cup and the UEFA Champions’ League, we are delighted that a leading global brand such as Heineken has added the Irish Open to their sponsorship portfolio.”

McGeady Leads Home Talent

Derryman Michael McGeady is top Irishman on five under with Tim Rice but Paul Cutler missed the cut.

McGeady fired a flawless 67 which included five birdies and no dropped shots.

However last year's Walker Cup star Cutler dropped a combined five shots at two of the easier holes on the course.

Cutler, after his opening 72, carded a triple bogey at the second and also double bogeyed the 15th as he signed for a 75 which proved three too many.

Clandeboye's Jonathan Caldwell, who played alongside Rory McIlroy on the 2007 Walker Cup team, missed the cut by one shot after a second-round 74.

Gareth Shaw of the Lurgan club, who had been level with Caldwell after the first round, is safely though as the top Northern Ireland man at two under par.

Ballyliffen club man Damien Mooney is on one under for the tournament but Carrickfergus professional Ross Oliver exited in disappointing fashion as he added a 76 to his impressive opening 70.

Neil O'Briain is in contention on four under ahead of the Friday's final round.

Leader Fallon started his round on Friday with a bogey but responded with a birdie on two and eagle at the third as he went on to shoot a 69.

Reed, whose seventh-placed finish at Galgorm last year was immediately followed by victory at Fota Island, carded a seven-birdie 66 while 2010 winner Hepworth is among those nicely positioned three off the pace.

Fallon Holds Narrow Galgorm Lead

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Scott Fallon’s lead at the top of the Ulster Bank Open leaderboard has been cut to one shot following the second day of play in the 888poker.com PGA EuroPro Tour event at Galgorm Castle.

The overnight leader briefly held a six-shot lead thanks to an early tee time which he took full advantage of to put pressure on the rest of the field.

However, Paul Reed (Bristol & Clifton Golf Club) and Paul Doherty (Vale Hotel) both responded with day-best rounds of 66 to conclude Thursday second and third respectively.

Fallon started with a bogey five at the first but immediately made up for it with a three at the par-four second.

An eagle at the third extended Fallon’s lead and he moved to 11 under par with a birdie three at the fourth. The Londoner completed the rest of the front nine to par before bogeying the 11th, a 477-yard dog-leg par four. A four on the final hole improved Fallon’s card by a further shot.

Reed hit seven birdies to make inroads on the leaderboard and his impressive 66 leaves him just one shot behind Fallon. Reed tied for seventh at Galgorm last summer and was victorious at Fota Island in County Cork the following week, helping see him finish the season seventh in the Order of Merit.

Doherty, who matched Reed’s second-round score, is two shots behind Fallen in third. The Scotsman made five birdies through seven holes from the ninth and also gained shots at two and four, both par fours. A bogey at the par-three fifth was the only stain on Doherty’s card.

Three players go into Friday’s Final Round within three shots of Fallon. James Hepworth (Ilkley Golf Club) was victorious in a play off at Galgorm two years and a Second Round 69 took his tournament score to eight under.

Level with Hepworth are Alex Belt (The De Vere Club) and George Woolgar (Capitalservices/F Ball). Belt has shot two rounds of 68 while Woolgar climbed the leaderboard with a second-round 67.

Ahead of the Final Round a cut of the top 50 plus ties has been made with all those who are level par or better through to Friday’s play.

The Final Round gets underway at 8am on Friday with the leading pair due out at 12:03pm. 

Entry is FREE to all spectators at Galgorm Castle.

Click here for the full leaderboard.

Click here for Final Round tee times.

Fernández-Castaño Recaptures Form

Gonzalo Fernández-Castaño is finally recapturing the form that saw him almost topple Tiger Woods three months ago.

The Spaniard, who took Woods to the final green at the WGC-Accenture Match Play in Tucson, resumes the ISPS Handa Wales Open on Friday two shots behind leader Lee Slattery at Celtic Manor.

And having come so close to a shock win the Madrid golfer admits it has taken him time to regain his confidence.

"I had a great opportunity to beat him, which would have been great," he said. "But I hit some awkward shots and I think my confidence went down a little bit.

"Since then I've kind of lost my swing, but hopefully this will be the turning point of the season."

Dizzy

Fernández-Castaño has played only four times since that Woods duel and has not had a top-50 finish in any of them.

But on a tough opening day at the 2010 Ryder Cup venue his two under par 69 yesterday was good enough for a share of fourth place.

Slattery, whose week began with him qualifying for a US Open debut, had German Marcel Siel and Dutchman Tim Sluiter right on his heels overnight.

Conditions were tough. Over 20 players did not break 80 and one, Singapore's Zhiqun Lam shot 92.

England's Gary Boyd had two sextuple bogey 10s in an 88, then quit, complaining of feeling "sick and dizzy".

Defending champion Alex Noren and Welsh hope Jamie Donaldson withdrew as well with back trouble after scoring 81s.

At the 2010 3 Irish Open Fernández-Castaño finished in third place, played at the Killarney Golf and Fishing Club, behind winner Ross Fisher and second placed, Padraig Harrington.. 

But last year the Madrid born golfer missed the cut on the same course after an opening round of 78.