From Paul Gallagher at the K-Club
The Smurfit European Open moved into the third day at the K-Club with five Irishmen from 13 starters contesting at the business end of the week.
Padraig Harrington, as ever, is the leading home player on three-under just two shots behind the overnight leader New Zealand’s Michael Campbell. The Dubliner’s 69 yesterday equalled the low round of the day - an effort which currently leaves him tied fourth and a late tee-time of 1.14 p.m.
Despite ongoing frustrations on the greens, the defending champion Darren Clarke knows if he can find any sort of touch he is easily within striking distance from five shots back at level par. Clarke gets started at 11.57 a.m. - one group behind Ashbourne club pro John Dwyer.
Eamonn Darcy, starting the day on three-over, already took to the course in the third group and since then was level par for 11 holes. An opening birdie and a dropped shot at the fourth were the only variations to an otherwise par card. Kilkenny’s Gary Murphy parred his opening three holes to remain on one-over.
Australia’s Greg Norman had a disappointing 76 yesterday, unfolding the good work of his opening 69. A bogey at the second today dropped him further back to two-over.
Providing the weather holds up - the forecast is showery - large crowds are expected to descend on the Kildare venue especially with Harrington in contention. Last year over 20,000 passed through the gates on the Saturday.