Walton conjures up the old magic

Philip Walton re-emerged from a time warp to assume the role as principal Irish contender in the Smurfit European Open at The K Club yesterday. He joyfully cited a mysterious "good friend", acting as caddie in a professional tournament for the first time, as his secret weapon.

Typical Walton, really. When all around him were shouldering the burdens and pressures of Ryder Cup qualification, the 35year-old Dubliner, who had ensured the return of that same trophy to Europe, was in a stressfree zone - apart from his putting - and producing a second successive 68 for eight under par 136, leaving him four shots behind halfway leader Per-Ulrik Johansson.

"It's a nice position to be in," conceded Walton, at last showing signs of the form that enabled him to assume hero status at Oak Hill two years ago. "But I wouldn't mind if the wind got up a little bit over the weekend," he menacingly added.

The man carrying his bag was on a high too. Denis McCoy thought Walton was joking when, earlier this year, while playing golf together in Spain, he was asked if he'd like to act as caddie during the European Open. McCoy, who is involved with Ben Dunne in the Westpoint leisure facility in Blanchardstown, forgot all about the offer until last week when Walton telephoned him. "Are you okay for next week?" enquired the player. "Why?" came the reply. "Well, I've given Brian (McLaughlin) the week off. You're carrying my bag," insisted Walton.

"It's a real fairytale, a dream come true," said McCoy, a member of The K Club and Luttrellstown Castle. "I know this course really well, and Philip thought it would be a good idea to have me on the bag. He does his own yardages and such like, but it is fantastic to be involved."

Walton might have been in closer pursuit had he had some luck on the greens, particularly the 18th. He hit a majestic five wood approach shot 234 yards to seven feet only to see the ball on his eagle putt "bump off a bit" halfway to the hole, redirected by a couple of spike marks. "Not to worry," was his casual aside.

An indication of Walton's crisp iron play is that his opening birdie, from 20 feet, at the second, was the longest of his six yesterday - the other five were all tapped in from distances ranging from six to 10 feet. His bogeys came at the seventh, where he was over the back in three, and the 14th, when he drove into rough and had to hack out. "I'm in a nice position and playing quite well," he said.

The list of Irish survivors for the weekend extends to five: Walton was joined by Paul McGinley (70 for 139), Ronan Rafferty (67 for 140), Padraig Harrington (71 for 141) and David Higgins, who shot a superb 66 to get in on the cut-off mark of two under par 142.

Higgins's effort was particularly noteworthy. The 24-year-old Waterville player - languishing in 156th place in the European Tour money list and requiring another £35,000 or so to keep his card - says he has adopted a new attitude. "I was putting far too much pressure on myself," said Higgins, who had missed the cut in his previous seven tournaments. "I was trying too hard and ended up forcing things."

McGinley repaired the damage of two bogeys in his opening six holes yesterday to produce four birdies and eight pars over the rest of the journey, to comfortably survive the halfway cut. "I'm still searching for that spark," he insisted.

However, there was sorrow for a number of other Irish players, especially those who missed the cut by just one shot. Francis Howley shot a second round 71 for 143, while Foxrock assistant Leslie Walker also missed out by one stroke after adding a 75 to his opening 68.