Bjorn survives tough week in Ireland
IN: News | European PGA | Nissan Irish Open (2006) | Wrap | by Bruce Young | 23 May 2006
The outcome of the Nissan Irish Open was perhaps no better summed up than by the winner Thomas Bjorn when, just after he had completed his final round, he told Sky Sports on course commentator, Tim Barter, that he felt like the last man standing. For many, the week at Carton House might well have felt like a war as the weather delays and tough demanding golf course took their toll.
Returning on Monday morning to take up where they left off after weather had forced the suspension of play on Sunday afternoon, the leader Darren Clarke found his ball at the 9th hole in somewhat better circumstances than had been the case when he left it the previous day. Figuring that the improved lie was as a result of the number of people who had been looking for it, he decided to chip out sideways which had been the only option available to him the previous day. He could well have attempted to hit it on the green but the character that Clarke possesses told him that such would not be fair. It was an honourable decision and one that was perhaps unfairly not rewarded with victory.
The gesture was perhaps best summed up by the winner, Bjorn, when he later told European Tour radio, "We are often called on to judge the game ourselves and Darren is that type of character he should hold his head up high for what he did."
While that stroke was costly, it was Clarke's poor finish over the closing holes that would ultimately cost him his chance of victory. Two early birdies in round four had him ahead by two before the bogey at the 9th. He was still very much the man to beat however until a bogey at the 16th was followed by an unlikely bogey at the last. He was just short of the par five in two but chunked his third and eventually took bogey six which opened the door for Bjorn who was playing in the group behind.
Bjorn had overcome the most horrible of starts on Thursday when he triple bogeyed the last for 78. "I have to thank my caddy for reminding me after that finish that this was tough golf course and that I did not necessarily have to think about booking flights for London the next day."
The Dane's second round of 66 had him back in the tournament and when he added a 67 on Saturday he shared the lead with Paul Casey and Clarke. Two early bogies in the final round appeared to have cost him any chance of exorcising the demons of his of his last appearance in Ireland when he somehow recorded a last round 86 at the K Club when victory at the European Open was at his mercy.
Bjorn however hit a brilliant tee shot at the par three 17th to set up a birdie and then, at the last, he holed a putt from 7 feet for another birdie to win by one after Paul Casey had three putted the same green to miss a playoff by one. Casey had also fought his way back into contention late in the round after a shaky start to round four.
Clarke finished third and Swede, Peter Hedblom, fourth.
For Bjorn it was his 9th European Tour victory and now has him on track for an automatic place in the Ryder Cup Team. Even if he is unable to make it on points the guts and determination he showed this week would have ensured he will be under the watch of European Captain Ian Woosnam. Bjorn is keen to return to the K Club in September and being part of a winning European Team would ensure the tears would flow, given the scars he no doubt still carries of the last time he played there.
Of the Australasians this week, Jarrod Lyle did the best when 12th. Playing on invitation, Lyle was very much in the mix throughout the event before his last round was book ended with multiple bogies. Five bogies in his first seven holes in round four and three consecutive bogeys to finish cost Lyle the chance of not only a high finish but an unlikely victory. He will be better for the experience and the performance should ensure that tournament organisers have taken notice. It will not be the last invitation Lyle secures for a European Tour event.
Wade Ormsby was 44th, while Matthew Millar and Brett Rumford were 53rd.
The European Tour now heads to Wentworth for one of their flagship events, the BMW.
