A FASCINATING range of emotions characterised the second round of the Smurfit Irish Championship at Slieve Russell yesterday, when a challenging course continued to bestow very few favours. But there were no complaints from the halfway leader Des Smyth, who gained the distinction of shooting the first sub 70 round of the event, with a sparkling 69 for an aggregate of 141.
His self satisfied smile certainly contrasted sharply with the naked anger of the 1994 champion, Darren Clarke, who tumbled to a wretched 79. Then there was the remarkable resolve of another former champion, Martin Sludds, who battled to survive the cut on 154-10 over par through birdies on the 17th and 18th after an horrendous 11 at the long 13th.
Meanwhile, Leonard Owens gained the distinction of a particularly impressive hole in one, into the wind at the 196 yard seventh, where a three iron tee shot found the target. It was his third ace in competition and the fourth of his career.
Bright sunshine in mid afternoon, greeted the climax to Smyth's round. But by that stage, most of the field had been made to endure chilling winds under overcast skies. All of which reflected particular credit on the performance of Headfort's Brendan McGovern who remained a worthy standard bearer for the club professionals with a second round of 71 for 143.
There, he joined Eamonn Darcy, who, having grafted patiently with little reward from his blade, was within sight of a closing birdie for a round of 70 after a brilliant, three wood second shot had finished just left of the 18th green. But an ever brightening mood, prompted by a delightful chip to two feet, changed dramatically when the birdie putt slipped past the target. In the circumstances, a round of 71 had the appearance of short change.
Sludds's misfortune happened when, after hitting his second into the water at the long 13th, he attempted to repair the damage, by attacking the pin to the front of the green with finely judged wedges. The result was that two more balls found a watery grave.
Meanwhile, on the way to his 79, Clarke drove out of bounds at the long sixth lost his ball off a wayward second shot at the ninth thinned an approach through the green at the 10th carded another bogey at the next and shanked a four iron approach for a double bogey at the 12th. His face like thunder, he attempted remedial action on the practice ground afterwards but was still too angry to discuss the problem. Frankly, it amounted to rather childish behaviour for a player of his experience.
Philip Walton had a different sort of problem. A stomach bug left him feeling decidedly miserable as he went about his work yet, as defending champion, he still managed to move into contention by shooting an admirable 70.
Bobby Kinsella, joint leader overnight, also complained of an upset stomach on the way to a 79. Smyth could effect on a really solid performance, though he had the almost mandatory three putt for a bogey on the 15th. Displaying admirable control, he had three birdie chances in the opening six holes, but had to wait until the short seventh for a break through, when a 30 foot put found the target.
