The Irish Golf Club Gazette: Barclays Singapore Open

Showing posts with label Barclays Singapore Open. Show all posts

11/07/2012

Harrington Hopes to Banish Memory

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Fresh from his victory at the PGA Grand Slam of Golf, Padraig Harrington will tee up in this week’s Barclays Singapore Open determined to banish the memories of his “most bitter loss” in 2008.

Harrington captured his first title since the 2010 Iskandar Johor Open when he saw off the American Major-winning trio of Keegan Bradley, Webb Simpson and Bubba Watson in his last competitive outing two weeks ago.

His victory in Bermuda gave Harrington’s confidence a timely lift ahead of this week’s US$6million tournament at Sentosa Golf Club, in Singapore, where the three-time Major Champion feels he has unfinished business after losing out to Indian Jeev Milkha Singh by a single stroke in 2008.

Harrington led by one shot with three holes to play, but made costly bogeys at the 16th and 18th holes – both in unfortunate circumstances – to hand victory to Singh.

The Irishman freely admits that the loss hurt him, but is keen to make amends by claiming his first European Tour title for more than four years.

Harrington, currently in 34th place in The Race to Dubai, said: “In 2008, it was probably my most bitter loss on a golf course. I was two shots ahead with three holes to play, played the last three holes magnificently but managed to play them in two over par. So I can certainly remember those three holes really well!

“I hit a beautiful shot into the 16th that went in the water, and I hit a beautiful a shot at the 18th that got stuck on the bank behind. I felt I got two of the worst breaks I’ve seen coming down the stretch.

“But as much I was bitter to lose in 2008, I was happy to see Jeev win it. You couldn’t ask for a nicer guy to win a tournament. If you’re going to lose a tournament, losing to Jeev is not a bad thing. He really can deliver when he’s on form. He’s a really good player, and a great guy.”

That performance apart, Harrington’s record at Sentosa Golf Club is relatively modest, but the Dubliner feels his form is peaking at the business end of the season.

After this week, Harrington heads to Hong Kong and Dubai for his final two appearances of the year, and the 41 year old will use his Bermuda triumph as a springboard in his bid to end his barren spell.

He said: “There’s no doubt about it, it’s always nice to win. Winning is a habit, it was only 36 holes and there was only four players, but still you get the same feelings when you’re coming down the stretch and you’re trying to hold some guys off and protect your lead. Those are the sorts of experiences you want to have as often as possible, because it makes winning easier when it comes down to it.

“I have been playing quite nicely all year and I have putted well recently, so it was nice to get my rewards. I’m obviously happy to have won, but I’ll need a win or two in regular tournaments to feel I’m really back to my best.”

Sponsor Criticism Deserved - McIlroy

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Rory McIlroy said criticism of his decision to skip last week's Champions tournament in China to watch his girlfriend, Caroline Wozniacki, play tennis was deserved.

The world No1 said a break was necessary despite the disappointment of golf fans. McIlroy, who will play at this week's Singapore Open, said: "I think the criticism is fair ... it's a World Golf Championship event, one of the big ones. It was a tough one to miss, especially watching it on television.

"But I can't play every week. If I had played that I would have finished the season having played in Turkey, after the Ryder Cup and the FedEx Cup stuff. It's just too much and one event had to miss out and that was it. I played the course at Mission Hills a couple of years ago and didn't really like it. I thought it was a course where I would get frustrated and am glad the event is going back to Shanghai next year."

McIlroy, 23, who last week decided to cheer on Wozniacki at the Tournament of Champions in Bulgaria, said that since rising to the top he needs to strike the right balance between playing, fulfilling commitments and resting.

"Managing time is a very important part of my life. I thought I did a little bit better this season than I did last year after I won the US Open in 2011. People want more of you, they want you to do more things and you have to learn how to say 'no'.

"You have to be selfish sometimes. First and foremost, you have to look after yourself and fit in the things that you want to do. I am in a fortunate position that I can dictate where I want to play, what I want to do and where I want to go and as long as I am in that position then that's lovely."

11/12/2011

Gonzo Storms Top in Singapore Open

The Singapore Open has been reduced to 54 holes after play was called off for the day due to lightning at Sentosa Golf Club with Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano leading the way on 15 under par.

Play was suspended for almost three hours on Friday due to thunderstorms, meaning a number of the field had to return this morning to finish their second rounds.

However, the third round was also halted on account of lightning before eventually being suspended with play to resume early Sunday morning.

With the event now reduced to 54 holes, it leaves Fernandez-Castano firm favourite to claim the title as the Spaniard took a three-shot lead after posting a second round of 61 this morning.

Fernandez-Castano carded five birdies coming home on the Tanjong Course as he completed his second round in style to move clear of Edoardo Molinari and James Morrison.

'I am thrilled, you don't shoot 10-under very often,' he said. 'You don't really know how the suspensions are going to affect you. I was lucky because yesterday I didn't tee off before the thunder storm. I took my time. I took it easy and started well with three birdies.

'It was great and then I had a good start again this morning. I played well of course. To play well you need to hole putts and that is what I did.

'I found something with my swing. I have been injured for six months at the beginning of the year and it took me a while to find my swing and what I want to do with the ball.

'I finally did and of course the big thing was the putting. I changed my putting method at the Czech Open in mid August. Since then my putting has improved a lot. It's the claw grip. I am just imitating Sergio Garcia to see if I can win as many tournaments as he does.'

He added: 'It's a shame that the tournament has to be reduced to 54 holes. It's good for me to be leading after 36 but I don't think that's what anyone wants, players, sponsors, officials, spectators, Sentosa - everyone would rather be playing 72 holes.

'There is a long way to go with 18 holes tomorrow and there are some great players just behind me on the leaderboard. It's going to be a tough day so I have to go out there and play my own game and see what happens.

'I mean, six months ago I didn't know what was going on with my back injury and to be honest I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to play again. So after spending six months on the bench I am very proud of the way I have been able to come back.'

Molinari was unable to make much headway into Fernandez-Castano's lead, picking up a birdie at the 12th as the Italian resumed on the Serapong Course before eventually signing for a 68 to join Morrison on 12 under while Juvic Pagunsan is in third spot two shots further back after firing his second successive 66.

New Zealander Danny Lee climbed into the group on nine-under following a 65, alongside Anders Hansen and Michael Hoey, while Scot Richie Ramsay also carded a 65 to move to eight-under alongside Justin Rose and YE Yang, who could only manage a 71.

Colin Montgomerie returned a 71 to make the cut and a birdie at the 11th moved the veteran to five-under before his third round was halted just two holes in.

Simon Dyson, Phil Mickelson and Graeme McDowell also made the cut but Padraig Harrington missed out as a 77 left the Irishman four over par.