Pebble Win for Padraig and JP

Padraig Harrington shot a 70 and finished the tournament tied in sixth spot, six shots behind the winner. 

Harrington’s weekend was further improved by clinching victory in the Pro-Am portion of the tournament, along with playing partner JP McManus.

Speaking to the media afterwards Harrington said: "We have been playing together, this is probably close to 20 of these at this stage, we have played Dunhills in Europe and the AT&T now for a seventh year, and this is the best I've seen him play."

"He really hit the golf ball great and hit some putts, he put it at times that pros would liked to have put it. He holed some great pressure putts and the last two days we were leading and it's always tough when you are leading, you're a little bit more cautious and you're a little bit safer."

"Even though we had a big lead, you knew it was going to come right down to a stretch, his birdie on 16 was exactly what we needed at the time."

"We got one on 17 and obviously 18 was a little bit of a struggle after a while, but it worked out."

"There's a great atmosphere now around us. It's fantastic for the TOUR players that we get to mix with the big stars. We come out, and guess who I just had breakfast with. It is a buzz for us to be here. And it's nice, every week we play 72 hole stroke-play events, so it's nice to do something different."

"Again, I have a set amateur partner that comes with me every time, so I'm going to enjoy the week regardless of how I play or regardless how we do as a team. It's been a bonus, we have won the Dunhill twice, so nice to put this one on, as well."

Playing partner JP McManus added his thoughts in the winners enclosure: "I knew I needed birdie because I screwed up big time. I was in good shape for my drive. And, listen, I never doubted Padraig, that he would get it up-and-down."

Harrington Slips After Round 3

Padraig Harrington appeared to have placed himself strongly in contention for the title after he too enjoyed a profitable day through 15 holes at Pebble Beach. However, Harrington undid all his good work with a bogey and double bogey in two of his final three holes to fall back to eight-under.

Tiger Woods began his charge towards the top of the leaderboard during the third round of the AT&T National Pro-Am, firing his best score of the tournament to move within four strokes of leaderCharlie Wi.

Woods showed how dangerous he can be when the putter is working by registering a five-under-par 67, lifting him to an overall score of 11-under. The round takes him two shots closer to the leader as he heads into Sunday.

The world No. 1 actually produced his worst performance of the event off the tee, hitting less fairways than in either of the first two days. But a tally of 27 swings of the short stick testified to his improved work around the greens, resulting in a run of five birdies in six holes between 13 and 18.

Wi remains the pace-setter after consecutive 69s lifted him to 15-under. Operating on the Spyglass Hill course, Wi stayed flawless for a round of three birdies thanks to some accurate approach work.

Separating Wi and Woods is Ken Duke, who equalled his compatriot's effort with a five-under round to move to 12-under. Duke tackled the Monterey Peninsula on Saturday and, like Wi, avoiding making bogey in an excellent round of golf.

Phil Mickelson may have left himself too much to do after he finished on nine-under. The big-hitting American did not find consistency in any area of the game throughout his round, but he cobbled together a formula that yielded a two-under 70 to place him in the top five. Mickelson is joined by compatriots Kevin Naand Brendon Todd, as well as defending champion Dustin Johnson.

England's highest-placed player was Greg Owen, who trailed Harrington by one stroke after the final hole. Meanwhile Ian Poulter looked set to avoid the cut on one-under.


#irishgolfnews

Ulster Club lands Europro Tour

Concra Wood GC is ready to roll out the red carpet for some of the brightest young golfing talent in Europe. 

The ambitious Castleblayney club, has joined Cork’s Fota Island and Ballymena’s Galgorm Castle, by signing a deal to host a PGA Europro Tour Event (July 9-13). 

“The course was only opened in July 2008 but has very quickly gained a very strong reputation,” said Head Professional Conor McKenna. 

“We are blessed with stunning views of Lough Muckno from every point on the course and our perfect location is only one hour from Belfast and Dublin. 

“We look forward to welcoming the players and know that Concra Wood will offer a real test.” 

The golf course at Concra Wood was designed by two of Ireland’s golfing legends, Christy O’Connor Junior and Senior. Measuring over 7300 yards off the back tees, the course plays to a par of 72. European Tour professional, Simon Thornton, holds the course record, a 68 set in 2010 at an Irish PGA Sprint event. 

Club Captain, Noel Gorman said; “I am delighted that the club will be hosting this event on what is undoubtedly one the finest championship golf courses on the island of Ireland. Concra Wood was ranked the 38th best course in the Ireland by Golf Digest and was recently named by the Golfers Guide to Ireland as their Hidden Gem of Ulster in 2012.” 

Paul Shortt, Chairman, Concra Wood Golf & Country Club PLC added, “I can’t think of a better combination of a world class golf tournament with a world class course. There is no doubt that Concra Wood will prove itself as the highlight of the tour with it’s unique design and stunning surroundings.” 

The PGA Europro Tour is a partnership between The Professional Golfers’ Association and Matchroom Sport. It has become one of the leading tours in Europe and is the only officially recognised golf developmental tour in the UK. 

The backing and support of the PGA is pivotal to its success as players strive to progress from the PGA Europro to Challenge Tour and full European Tour. 

The 2010 Open Champion, Louis Oosthuizen is one of the tour’s greatest success stories. 

Oosthuizen made his PGA Europro Tour debut in 2002, building his confidence and skills for two years. 

Ryder Cup star Ross Fisher, 2008 Irish Open winner, Richard Finch and Scottish World Cup winner Marc Warren have all used the PGA EuroPro Tour as a launchpad to European Tour success. 

There are 168 players in each tournament, which are three day events, usually preceded by a one, or two-day pro-am’s, all organised by the extremely professional team at the PGA. 

In 2012 there will be up to 15 PGA Europro Tournaments staged at venues around UK and Ireland - all televised on Sky Television. 

“Work has already started on making this a first class tournament,” added Conor McKenna. 

The club members are looking forward to the event, particularly the pro-am, and local businesses are also getting behind it. We really want to turn it into an enjoyable experience for everyone, the players, officials and fans.”

Classic Win for Cabrera-Bello

A front nine of 38 scuppered Rory McIlroy's chances of victory on Sunday at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, although he did come home in 33 to slip in behind Siem at 14-under - level with Soren Kjeldsen (67), George Coetzee (70) and Scott Jamieson(71).

But it was Spaniard Rafael Cabrera-Bello who claimed victory after both Lee Westwood and Stephen Gallacher squandered last-gasp opportunities to force a play-off.

Cabrera-Bello, whose only other European Tour victory came at the 2009 Austrian Open, took a one-shot victory after a final round of 68, making three crucial birdies on the back nine as he set a target of 18-under that Westwood and Gallacher - playing behind him in the final group of the day - were unable to match.

Needing birdies at the last to draw level with Cabrera-Bello and get into a play-off, Westwood managed to get greenside in two at the par-five, while Gallacher left himself with a ten-footer for the four he needed. Westwood effectively blew his chance with a woeful chip that left him a 30-footer for his birdie, and after both men slid their decisive putts wide Cabrera-Bello had his chance to celebrate.

"It's an unbelievable win for me, it's been a really, really special week," Cabrera-Bello said. "Today, with so many big names up there, I felt really proud of myself. I really wanted to fight and I did everything you should do in these situations. I played great, and I was really, really lucky that I ended up winning."

The finish was especially disappointing for Westwood, who had numerous birdie opportunities throughout the back nine but was unable to find the cup with one of his putts - not the first time such a weakness has cost him at crunch-time.

Cabrera-Bello, meanwhile, had an assured day - despite never matching the heroics of the opening round of 63 that saw him build the foundation for victory. He chipped to four feet to make birdie at the short second (his only birdie of the front nine), and on the back nine picked up shots where he needed to - with a fantastic approach at the 17th enabling him to roll in a ten-footer that put him one clear of the chasing pack.

Birdie at the treacherous 18th would have effectively sealed matters, but in the end the Spaniard was left with a nervy three-footer for his par - one he would nevertheless roll in for a round that would subsequently prove good enough for the biggest win, and pay cheque, of his career.

Gallacher, meanwhile, was on the fringes of the action for much of the day - before a long putt for eagle at the par-five 13th gave him a share of the lead. The momentum appeared to be with the Scot at that point, but he was unable to find the elusive shot he needed as he closed with five straight pars.

Marcel Siem finished fourth on his own after a final round 71, following an eventful day in which the volatile German tried but failed to get anything going. He fared better than the big names in the chasing pack, however, as both Martin Kaymer and Rory McIlroy faded quickly from the fray.

A front nine of 38 scuppered McIlroy's chances of victory, although he did come home in 33 to slip in behind Siem at 14-under - level with the likes of Soren Kjeldsen (67), George Coetzee (70) and Scott Jamieson(71).

Kaymer, in contrast, handled the front nine with minimal fuss but fell apart over the closing holes - with a six at the par-five 10th being followed by a double-bogey at the par-three 15th, as he ended up shooting 74 to finish 11-under alongside former Open champion Ben Curtis and Argentinian Tano Goya.

Ahead of that trio, Thomas Bjorn completed the top ten as he finished 13-under alongside Nicolas Colsaerts and Joel Sjoholm. Frenchman Romain Wattel was on his own at 12-under.

Omega Dubai Desert Classic Results

Overnight Leaders Trail Lee

Rory McIlroy managed only a level par 72 on Saturday and co leader, Thomas Bjorn suffered greater woes when he went in the water on the last. - and with three bogeys in his last four holes - he signed for a 73.

It leaves Lee Westwood with a one-shot lead going into the final 18 holes of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic after carding a five-under-par 67 in the third round at Emirates Golf Club.

The 38-year-old Englishman sits on 15-under-par at the head of a packed leaderboard in the Middle East, where 11 players are separated by just three shots.

The world number three, who teed off in a tie for seventh, made three birdies in his opening four holes as he swept into top spot.

Westwood, who is yet to drop a shot on the back nine all week, drained three birdies in four holes after the turn and finished off with five straight pars to secure a narrow advantage.

He is seeking a third title in his last six starts, having left fields for dead in South Africa and Thailand at the end of last year.

"It's not like I've forgotten how to win," Westwood told Sky Sports. "I've won 30-odd times, so I'm used to knowing what to do when I'm leading.

"I played nicely again. I got off to a good start with three birdies in the first four, hit a lot of quality iron shots and rolled the ball well on the green."

McIlroy, Bjorn falter

His nearest challengers are Rafael Cabrera-Bello (70), Stephen Gallacher (68) and Marcel Siem (68) on 14 under, but it was a difficult day for world number two Rory McIlory - the joint overnight leader - who struggled to a level-par 72.

The 22-year-old Northern Irishman is still only two shots behind Westwood after carding three bogeys on the back nine to slip into a tie for fourth.

"It was pretty ragged to say the least," said McIlroy. "Conditions were a little tougher - the wind was up and that put me off a little bit.

"The greens got firmer and the pin positions were a little tougher. I'll go to the range and try to iron it out.

"I just had to try to hang in there and stay as close to the lead as I could. To be only two back is a bonus - I feel it could have been worse.

"Two shots over 18 holes is nothing. I still feel in a pretty positive frame of mind and the windier it is tomorrow the better. It will make it a tough battle."

McIlroy's co-leader through 36 holes, Thomas Bjorn, also had a disappointing day at the office, posting a 73 that included three bogeys in the final four holes.

However, McIlroy and Bjorn remain in contention as does world number four Martin Kaymer, who fired a tidy 70 that featured 14 pars.