Shaun Mcallister
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Five players are tied for the lead at four under par after the opening round of The Pandora 2010 Open on the PGA EuroPro Tour at Burhill Golf Club in Surrey. Shaun McAllister, Graham Benson, Sean Doherty, Martin Sell and Tim Dykes all recorded rounds of 68 on the New Course on a day of fine scoring in the second event on the Tour.
For the Irish players there was a extensive casualty list with only four making the cut after round two on Friday. Michael McGeady registered four birdies in his round of 69 to move to 4 under in a tie for 7th in a group that included Paul O’Hanlon of The Curragh with a 71 and Michael Collins of FORE Ireland who carded a 68. Cian McNamara signed for a 70 to remain level par. Noel Fox came in with a 71 to remain 2 over along with Barrie Trainor who signed for a 71 both missing the cut. Other players missing the cut include Brendan McCarroll on +3 after a round of 71, Brian McElhinney (74) of Team Ireland Golf on +4 with Ronan Rafferty (74). Mark Staunton of FORE Ireland dropped down the field after a 75 with the main problem a double bogey on the 6th hole to go +5 along with Michael Campbell (71) also missing the cut. Michael Lavelle (75) on +8; with David Rawluk (74). Neil O’Briain (74) on 10 over and Tim Rice finished on 79 shots on +11 Mick Collins quotes: "The good, the bad and the birdies! Today was one of the strangest rounds of golf I have ever played. Never before have I had three 3 putts and still managed to shoot 4 under 68 but thats what happened today." "A steady start of 3 pars (starting on 10) were followed by 3 birdies in the next four holes, only interupted by a three putt bogey on 14. That left me 2 under until 2 3 putts in a row on 18( 30 ft) and the 1st ( 20 ft) put me back to level again. The greens are rolling at over 12 and any little misjudgement can end up leaving you looking a bit foolish." "However, all was about to change. Lob wedge to 8 feet on hole 2 started the birdie blitz. Gap wedge to 20 feet on 3 set up another and 6 iron to 8 feet on the 185 yard 4th hole gave me three in a row. The Par 5 5th hole was my next challenge. A good tee shot set up a 4 iron to the green which I pushed into the right hand greenside bunker and a 30 yard bunker shot. A good splash shot to 5 feet gave me No. 4 in a row and seven in total. A stedy uneventful finish resulted in me signing for a 68 ." "It was a complete rollercoaster as from the 13th to the 5th (11 holes) I had 7 birdies, 3 bogeys and 1 par. The main thing after all of that is that I am only 4 shots off the lead in 8th position going into the last round. If I can keep the birdie tap turned on, I might be able to get going early and give the lads ahead of me something to think about." |
