Latest at the Irish Open: Howell takes a tumble
David Howell rose to the top of leaderboard at the 3 Irish Open yesterday, but the Englishman was brought straight back down to earth with today's second round at Killarney, the 35-year-old hitting a double-bogey six on the 1st this morning.
Howell had stormed to the top of the leaderboard with a seven-under-par 64 yesterday, but his efforts to re-establish himself took a serious hit this morning, Howell tumbling down the leaderboard in a tie for 15th place after he carded another double bogey on the 10th, plus a bogey on the 8th. Howell is currently four-under-par, having played 12 holes.
While one Englishman's form is deteriorating though, Ross Fisher has found his game in impressive style. Fisher currently sits atop the leaderboard on eight-under along with Australia's Brett Rumford, Fisher having carded an outstanding six birdies in six holes between the 3rd and 8th.
Ireland's Damien McGrane is currently tied for third place, while Padraig Harrington is also going well with three birdies (and a bogey) in four holes. Graeme McDowell is one-over today after 10 holes, on level par for the tournament, while Rory McIlroy is yet to begin his second round. The 21-year-old is currently four-under-par.
Yesterday's opening round saw some unexpected drama, as England's Robert Rock, in a strong position on six-under, was disqualified after signing the wrong score on his scorecard. Rock's partner David Lynn had incorrectly recorded a par and birdie score on the 13th and 14th, when he should have recorded a birdie on the 13th and a par on the 14th. A heart-breaking and rather preposterous reason for a player to be disqualified, but that's the rules of golf for you.
Another player to fall foul of the archaic rules was Matteo Manassero, the Italian 17-year-old who came home one-under-par in the first round, only to be given a two stroke penalty after kicking some stones on a hazard on the 1st. According to those stringent rules, touching or moving loose impediments is not allowed, even after a shot has been played.
All of which saw a bogey five transformed into a triple bogey seven, and means the Italian's record of having never missed a cut as a professional is under threat today.
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