World Cup heroes Paul McGinley and Padraig Harrington were at the Guinness-sponsored Links Society Outing at Baltray yesterday, receiving the congratulations of their golfing friends. But it was a pair of old hands, Jimmy Heggarty and Leonard Owens, who captured the main awards.
Heggarty, who now concentrates on the Irish pro-am scene, admitted to certain pangs two weeks ago as he followed developments in the European Tour Qualifying School. "I couldn't help feeling that I could still do it," said the 41-year-old, who took the main, net prize with a three-under-par 70.
Indeed his enduring talent was in evidence in a splendid back nine of 33, which edged out the other challengers on 70, including Harrington. Heggarty's birdies came at the 10th, where he sank a 12-footer, the long 11th which he reached with a three wood and the 18th, where he was four feet behind the pin in three.
Harrington clearly enjoyed the outing, despite losing on a countback. He is getting married tomorrow and in accordance with a pledge he had made not to bring the clubs on honeymoon, this was his last competitive round of golf until after Christmas.
He played yesterday in the same three-ball as his former Walker Cup partner Jody Fanagan and Mount Juliet's John Curran. "Obviously I was thrilled to hear of the World Cup win," said Fanagan. "I got the news from CNN in my hotel bedroom in Caracas, where I was competing in the Simon Bolivar Trophy."
The one-time amateur partners each birdied the sixth, seventh and eighth holes - clearly impressive play but poor dovetailing from a team aspect. "My next golfing assignment is the MacGregor Week in Spain in January," said Harrington afterwards.
McGinley, who didn't play, arrived later to join the gathering, having left the Ryder Cup in safe keeping. He brought the trophy from London yesterday for display at the Irish Golf Writers' Association Banquet at Clontarf GC tonight.
Leading scores - 70 - L Owens (scr) Royal Dublin, G O'Dwyer (5) Royal Dublin, J Heggarty (scr) Spawell, P Harrington (scr) MMI, J Curran (1) Mount Juliet; 71 - M Gallagher (6) Headfort, H Mackeown (1) Portmarnock; 72 - E Darcy (scr) Druids Glen, K Raftery (7) Forrest Little, F Sharkey (6) Co Louth; 73 - N Crimmins (4) Co Louth, P Lawrie (scr) Spawell, P McGuirk (scr) Co Louth, J Fanagan (plus 1) Milltown, S Maguire (8) Co Louth, P Smyth (6) Killiney, M McGuirk (8) Co Louth; 74 - S Quinlivan (scr) Ballybunion, J Carvill (scr) Warrenpoint, L Walker (scr) Foxrock, R Flood (3) Stackstown, K Stevenson (scr) Warrenpoint, J Creaney (8) Naas, J Kelly (scr) The Ward DR, D Lavin (8) Hermitage, P O'Hagan (5) Charlesland, F Howley (scr) Milltown. Prize winners: Nett - Heggarty, Curran, O'Dwyer, Gallagher, Mackeown, Raftery. Gross - Owens, Harrington, Darcy, Fanagan, Lawrie, P McGuirk. Team: Owens, G Allen (6) Blainroe, M McGuirk - 60.
Heavy rain caused play to be delayed in the second round of the US Tour Qualifying School on the Copperhead Course at Greenleaf Resort, Florida yesterday.
After the opening round on Wednesday, Ireland's Keith Nolan was tied 31st after a one-under-par 71 while compatriot Richard Coughlan was tied 83rd after a 73. From the field of 168, the top 35 and ties will gain their cards for the USPGA Tour next season.
Aideen Rodgers continues to lead the Irish challenge after the third round of the Women Professional Golfers' European Tour Qualifying School tournament at Aroeira in Portugal yesterday. American Laura Philo kept her overnight lead intact after a round of 72. It left the American at three under par on 213 and two strokes clear of French challenger Ludivine Kreutz, who also shot a 72.
