Finch survives fall to win Irish Open
BY Bruce Young | European PGA Tour | 2008 Irish Open | Round Four | 19 May 2008
At one stage during today’s final round of the Irish Open, six players shared the lead and it appeared that it would take something special for a potential winner to break free and claim the title. Englishman, Richard Finch, certainly did just that but it was probably not quite what he had in mind.
Finch, who won his European Tour title nearly six months ago at the Michael Hill New Zealand Open, came to the final hole with a three shot lead and needed only a par to win from Chilean, Felipe Aguilar, who had finished twenty minutes earlier. Others who had earlier been in contention had fallen away and Finch, with such a lead, only to lay up at the par five last to cruise to victory.
Finch decided to do just that but he misjudged his layup and finished up on the side of the River Maigue that runs adjacent to the last hole at Adare Manor Hotel and Golf Resort. Attempting his third shot from an awkward stance, Finch lost balance and fell backwards into the water and had to be fished out by his caddie.
It mattered little and added a light hearted moment to arguably the most important day in the golfing life of the 30-year-old from Hull. At the New Zealand Open in Queenstown in December, Finch had also been drenched at the final hole but on that occasion it was champagne as he celebrated his first victory on the European Tour.
Finch has not only given his own career a boost but also gives the New Zealand Open form, generally, some credibility.
Under a certain level of criticism due to the lack of quality European players it has been able to attract, the New Zealand Open will benefit by being able to point to the ongoing success of its winner in 2007.
There is speculation at present as to whether the event will remain a European Tour event or change dates and potentially join the Nationwide Tour but Richard Finch has, in his own way, assisted its cause by highlighting the benefits the confidence of a win anywhere can offer.
Aguilar had also been a genuine challenger for the title until he too experienced water problems but his would come at the par three 16th. His double bogey there slowed the momentum he had built with three consecutive birdies prior but although he secured outright second with a birdie at the last he was unable to threaten the winner.
Robert Karlsson, Gary Murphy, Lee Westwood and Maarten Lafeber shared third place at 7 under and three behind the winner. Murphy was carrying the hopes of local golf fans and finished as the only Irishman inside the top 15. While perhaps disappointed not to go on and capitalise on a great chance to win his National Open, Murphy will still be pleased with his equal best finish in eight seasons on the European Tour.
The best of the Australians was Peter O’Malley, who finished 24th, Scott Strange 35th, Richard Green 40th and Matthew Millar 65th.
The European Tour now travels across the Irish Sea to England for this week’s BMW PGA Championship at the Wentworth Golf Club in Surrey.
