The Irish Golf Club Gazette

3/15/2013

Indian Cut for Irish Trio

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Peter Lawrie and Gareth Maybin missed the cut at the Jaypee Greens Golf and Spa Resort on Friday by one stroke, ending their their stay in Greater Noida in Delhi, and were joined by Michale Hoey who carded a second double bogey on the 12th in round 2.

Maybin dropped a shot at the par four eighteenth to sign for a level par round of 71, with Lawrie's three under not enough to make up for the opening day 73. But Hoey's troubles started on Friday when a good card was damaged when he double bogeyed the par five 12th to end the day one over par. On the second day his round of 73 was four shots over the cut mark.

Chapchai Nirat and Liang Wen-chong share a two shot lead at the halfway stage of the Avantha Masters as both players look to end six year waits for a second European Tour victory.

China’s Liang, whose previous victory came at the 2007 Singapore Masters, had eight birdies and two dropped shots – the highlight a 25 foot birdie putt at the 17th – in a 66 that he described afterwards as “some of my best golf”.

The 34 year old added: “I managed to hole several long putts. Although I got two bogeys, I couldn’t have asked for a better round.

“I’ve had a good break with my family and I’m back feeling all recharged. I’ve learnt to be patient and my playing experience from all over the world has taught me well. There are two more rounds to go and hopefully, I can be atop the leaderboard like today.”

Nirat had seven birdies and a single bogey as he matched Liang’s 66 and 12 under par total at Jaypee Greens Golf & Spa Resort.

“I played very well indeed,” said Nirat, who won the Asian Tour’s SAIL Open with a record 32 under par total in 2009.

“This is a very long course and I managed to hit the balls long the last two days. I also managed to hole several long putts as well and luck did play a part in getting me to my position today.”

The chasing group on ten under contains Nirat’s compatriot Chawalit Plaphol, Scot David Drysdale, England’s Tommy Fleetwood and Finn Joonas Granberg.Overnight leader Chinnarat Phadungsil could not maintain his incredible opening round form as he took 12 shots more to complete the back nine.

After eight birdies in nine holes gave Phadungsil an inward 28, 11 under par total and five shot first round lead - just one shy of The European Tour record – the Thai golfer took 40 on the back nine today.

An inward 34 repaired some of the damage, but at nine under par he was down to a share of eighth on nine under.

Drysdale is chasing his first European Tour title in almost 300 starts and after his 67 said: "The golf course gives you a lot of opportunities for birdies, the par fives are all in reach so it's been a steady two days.

"I got through the turn today at nine under and expected to be four or five behind at that point after the lad shooting 11 under yesterday, but saw he had come back to the field so that was a pleasant surprise.

"In the pro-am on Wednesday I was thinking it would be somewhere in the 20s under par that would win this week, especially if the weather stays like this and the wind doesn't get up. After someone shoots 11 under you are just trying to shoot as many birdies as you can.

"When I first saw the course I thought it was a bit of a bomber's paradise, it looks wide from the tee but actually it's not that wide and it's quite a good design, quite narrow which suits me a little bit."

Strange Leads; McGinley WD's; Paddy Happy

One Asia

Australian Scott Strange, winner of OneAsia's first-ever tournament five years ago, shot a seven-under par 65 on Friday to grab the clubhouse lead after a rain-interrupted second-round of the U.S.$ 1 million Thailand Open at Thana City Golf & Sports Club.

Scott, winner of the Volvo China Open in 2009 when he also claimed OneAsia's first Order of Merit title, went one better than his opening round and is 13 under around the relatively short 6,336-metre (6,930-yard) Greg Norman-designed course.

Japan's Azuma Yano (67, 65), Brazilian Lucas Lee (65, 67), and Australian Terry Pilkadaris (68, 64) had a share of second place in the clubhouse, with eight others a shot further behind -- including some still to complete their rounds.

Defending champion Chris Wood (67, 66), three-time Major winner Padraig Harrington (67, 66), Koreans Hwang Jung-gon (65, 68), Lee Kyoung-hoon (67, 66) and Cho Min-gyu (65,68) and Thailand's Thanyakon Khrongpha (70, 63) finished on 11 under.

The second round will resume on Saturday with 36 players still to finish and a cut hovering around minus five. Stakes are high as this event -- and the upcoming Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia PGA Championship from March 28 - 31 -- is co-sanctioned by the Japan Golf Tour Organisation, and earnings count to both tour Orders of Merit.

Strange, who lost his European Tour card last year, credited the lifestyle change for allowing him to spend more time with his family, and he relished the opportunity to play closer to home on OneAsia and the Japan Tour.

"A few things have changed in my life," he said. "I'm not playing as much overseas, and we've got another daughter so I'm trying to be home a bit more. The mind is relaxed and refreshed.

"I think the Japanese Tour is a great fit -- especially for family life in Australia. You're not flying to Europe for six or seven months of the year and then coming back, so if I'm fortunate enough to win this week, I'll be in Japan and that would be great."

Yano, a three-time winner on the Japan Tour since turning professional in 2000, is also coming back into form after a lean stretch.

"I have not been playing well for the past two years (but) I have been making some swing changes and they are slowly starting to work," the 35-year-old said.

"I hit every fairway and hit my irons pure. This golf course is for players who draw the ball and I was able to do that today as well."

Pilkadaris came out strong after the rain delay to put his name on the leaderboard for the first time in a while.

"I was on fire when I went out after the rain break with five birdies and I left one in the jaws on eight -- one more roll and it was in," he said.

Still, he acknowledges there is a lot of golf to play.

"Whatever you shoot (on the first two days) you have got to double on the weekend to give yourself a chance. It is set up to make birdies. Greens are great and fairways are in good condition. You just go out and play golf, that’s it."

Paul McGinley was forced to withdraw mid-way through the second round with a bad back.

Englishman Wood said he battled tiredness midway through his second round, but a glance at the scores was all it took to shake him out of his lethargy.

"I was looking at the leader board and using that as motivation, because you've obviously got someone like Harrington, who'll take some chasing, but all the top players on the Japan and OneAsia Tours as well," he said.

Harrington was happy with his second-round effort as he continued experimenting with different glasses in a bid to find his putting touch.

"These glasses are pair number five. I also have six and seven with me this week, but pair number five seems to be the one making it at the moment," he said.

"They're all different frames and different lenses. These are a little bit shorter and the screw is a bit long, but they seem to be winning."

The round of the day belonged to Thai youngster Thanyakon, who equalled the course record 63 set by Welshman Ian Woosnam during the Johnnie Walker Super Tour in 1996.

"I hit it close all day as it is a fairly easy course," said the 22-year-old, who only turned pro two years ago but has won twice on the ASEAN PGA Tour.

"I am starting to think about winning the tournament now as there are going to be a lot of low scores and I have to be aggressive."

Other Thais in the hunt include Prayad Marksaeng (68, 67) and Thaworn Wiratchant (70, 68). Wisut Artjanawat is eight under with four holes to play.

Overnight leader Koumei Oda slipped to a second round 73 after his sizzling 64 on Thursday.

Harrington in Thailand Hunt

One Asia

Padraig Harrington and England’s Chris Wood both put themselves in contention to challenge for the Thailand Open after the opening round at Thana City Golf & Sports Club.

Three-time Major winner Harrington looked like challenging Japan’s Koumei Oda for the lead after racing to seven under par through 14 holes.

The former Ryder Cup star had four straight birdies from the second, an eagle at the long tenth and another gain at the 14th, but double bogeyed the penultimate hole to slip to five under and signed for a 67.

Defending champion Wood matched that effort – the recent Commercialbank Qatar Masters winner carding six birdies before bogeying the testing short 17th.

Both are three adrift of Oda, who fired no fewer than 11 birdies in a 64 that also included a bogey and a double bogey.

Ryder Cup Captain Paul McGinley shot a two under par 70.

But Thursday was all about Japan's Koumei Oda whi hit 11 birdies for an eight-under-par 64 to hold a one-shot lead in the $1 million Thailand Open.

Oda, a five-time winner on the Japan Tour, parred the first and then went on a six-hole birdie blitz, before bogeying the eighth and making the turn at 31.

He then struck five birdies, offset by a double bogey on the 15th, for one of the best rounds of his career.

Six players shared second place at the OneAsia tournament, co-sanctioned by OneAsia and the Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO).

"I have had 10 birdies before, but not 11," said Oda, 34, according to a release from the event organisers.

"The secret is I putted very well – just 26 putts for the round."

South Koreans Hwang Jung-gon and Cho Min-gyu, friends who train together on the Japan Tour, set the pace for the day in strong style.

Hwang, just 19 and already a two-time winner in Japan, birdied the first four holes and got three more on the back for a bogey-free round.

"It was very hot, but I was patient and made no big mistakes. Bogey free is always good," he said.

Cho, 24, had eight birdies and a bogey.

"I managed to hit my tee shots very well and it is important to be on the fairway here if you want to make birdies," he said.

3/14/2013

McGinley Keeps Game Focus

One Asia

Paul McGinley hopes the pressures of being Europe's Ryder Cup captain will not adversely affect his performances on the course this season.

The Irishman opened with a solid two-under at the Thailand Open in Bangkok to lie six shots behind first-round leader Koumei Oda.

The 46-year-old, who mixed four birdies with two dropped shots, admitted he was wary of the complications previous Ryder Cup captains have faced when trying to continue their playing careers.

"It is a challenge, there is no doubt about that," said McGinley, whose compatriot Padraig Harrington carded a 67 along with Ryder Cup hopeful Chris Wood.

"I think history proves that being Ryder Cup captain always takes a toll on a captain's playing career.

"I am aware of that history and all the stuff that goes on, but I would like to think I am going to be different and I am going to play well over the next two years. Certainly it is a good motivating factor for me.

"I am playing in America next week and then I have a few weeks off and then I play in China and Korea.

"I have got a good bit of golf coming up and the Ryder Cup stuff I am going to park for the next six weeks and I am going to be a golfer and I am looking forward to that."McGinley, who has twice been a Ryder Cup vice-captain, is aware of the challenge that he will face to maintain a balance between his game and his duties in the lead-up to the 2014 match at Gleneagles, Scotland.
Over the next four days, the Irishman will face stiff competition from defending champion Chris Wood, who also won the Qatar Masters in January, and countryman Padraig Harrington in the $1 million event in Thailand.
McGinley, who has won four European Tour titles, will keenly follow the exploits of Ryder Cup contenders Wood and Harrington.
"Chris Wood does not have to do much to impress me. He has won twice now in last six months," McGinley, who missed the cut in last year's event at Thana City Golf & Sports Club, said.

"I am not afraid to have rookies in the team and I would be very happy if some rookies make the team.

"If Chris makes the team I would be delighted to welcome him aboard. He will be a very good Ryder Cup player one day.

"Padraig and I have played a lot together over the years. We are from the same part of Dublin, went to the same school and our careers have been quite parallel.
"He is one of the established players and another player I would love to see on the team. But to be honest there are 30 to 40 players I would love to see on the team and we have only room for 12.

3/13/2013

Irish Open Winner Targets India

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The 2011 Irish Open winner, Simon Dyson, is determined to tee up in the Avantha Masters this week despite contracting a stomach virus before leaving for India.

It is five years since the Englishman, who is making his debut in this week’s €1.8million tournament, last competed in India on The European Tour, finishing in a tie for 34th at the 2008 Johnnie Walker Classic at DLF G&CC – also the host venue for the Avantha Masters for the past three years.

This year, the tournament moves to the stunning Jaypee Greens Golf & Spa Resort in Greater Noida, near New Delhi; but Dyson is unlikely to get acquainted with Greg Norman’s design before the first round on Thursday having been laid low with Norovirus, which he contracted from his wife Lyndsey and young daughter Isabella Rose.

Dyson’s breakthrough victory came on Asian soil, at the 2006 Enjoy Jakarta HSBC Indonesia Open, and the 35 year old is hopeful the phrase “beware the injured golfer” proves prophetic this week as he goes in search of a seventh European Tour title.

“I’ve had the virus for a few days now. My wife had it and then my little girl had it too, so I must’ve picked it up from them. I felt really bad all day Saturday then flew out here on Sunday, and I actually felt alright on the flight. But then I started feeling horrendous again yesterday, so we’re back to square one a little bit.

“I had to force myself to get out of bed this morning. I’m probably only going to do a bit of putting practice today then take all day tomorrow off, which means I’ll have to withdraw from the Pro-Am. But hopefully I will have shaken it off by the time the tournament comes round, and I’ll be okay to tee up on Thursday.”

Like his compatriot Dyson, David Howell recently travelled to Mumbai to take part in the inaugural Golf Premier League, a new concept organised by Challenge Tour champion Shiv Kapur which is based loosely on cricket’s Indian Premier League.

A shortened version of the game played partially under floodlights, the tournament pitted teams representing different regions of India against one another, with the competitors – which included Major Champions Michael Campbell, Angel Cabrera and Darren Clarke, whose team emerged victorious – all ‘bought’ at an auction.

Howell, who has played in all three previous of the Avantha Masters, saw great potential in the event, which carried a prize fund of US$400,000 and was televised live.

He said: “It was a lot of fun to do something a bit different, and hopefully the concept takes off. It was a 14-hole, day / night team event, and it’s got great potential. Team golf’s always a lot of fun, and if they can get a few sponsors on board I can really see it taking off. It can be difficult to find the right week in the schedule for those sort of events, but if they can find a suitable date in the diary, I’m sure it could work.”

Pressed on his more serious outings this year, Howell is understandably delighted with a run of form which has included top ten finishes in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship (tied sixth) and the Tshwane Open (tied tenth).

He said: “I’m in a good run of form so I come into the week in confident mood, and if not expecting to do well then at least knowing that it’s a distinct possibility.

“When you’re in a bit of a slump, you can’t really see a way out of it. But bit by bit over the past year the results have picked up, and my confidence and belief have come back. I certainly feel a lot more confident now than I was a year ago, and it’s no coincidence that my game is also a lot better now.”

In contrast, Howell’s fellow former Ryder Cup star Edoardo Molinari has struggled for form since the start of the year, missing four straight cuts this season.

But, like Howell, the Italian has also recently switched coaches, and believes it is only a matter of time before his fortunes improve.

He said: “I changed coach back in December, so it’s still a work in progress. But I’m very happy with the improvements I’ve made recently in practice. Now it’s a case of taking it out onto the course with me and putting together some good scores, hopefully starting this week.

“It’s my second time here in India – I played an Asian Tour event in Delhi in 2011, and it was great. Lots of people came along to watch, and I’m sure it’ll be the same here this week. I like coming to different parts of the world and playing new courses in different conditions. It’s a nice tournament, and hopefully it will be well supported because it’s always nice to play in front of big crowds.”