GOLF: Far from being disenchanted by the weather, which did its utmost to disrupt the Seve Trophy at Druids Glen, and despite his team losing, the man who inspired the three-day matchplay competition between Britain and Ireland and Continental Europe would have no hesitation about bringing it back to Ireland.
Seve Ballesteros remarked that Ireland was "the perfect place" for the event to be played. "Can you imagine, if the weather was just a little bit better, how many people would have been out on the course? Why not come back? If we have the support of the Irish Government and the Irish Tourist Board, we'd be very happy to come back. Apart from the result, everything about this week has been fantastic," insisted Ballesteros, who pointed out that the Portuguese Open two weeks ago had to be reduced to 36 holes because of the weather.
Although Ballesteros managed to reproduce some of his old matchplay magic to beat opposing captain Colin Montgomerie in the top singles match, it was not sufficient to inspire Continental Europe to a successful defence of the trophy won in the inaugural event at Sunningdale two years ago. "I guess the British and Irish team played a little bit better and, perhaps, were a little bit more lucky," said Ballesteros.
Britain and Ireland, who had started the day with a four points advantage, did enough to claim a 14 ½-11 ½ win and central to the home side's success was the contribution of the three Irish members of the team, Padraig Harrington, Paul McGinley and Darren Clarke, all of whom won their singles matches yesterday. Indeed, Harrington - "he has developed into a world class player very quickly over the past two years," remarked Montgomerie - and McGinley finished as the top points scorers for B&I with four points each (out of five matches), while Clarke was next best, with three points out of five.
Harrington and Clarke, though, each played through the tournament with injuries. Harrington received constant physiotherapy on an ankle injury and has been advised by the medical people not to play in this week's Smurfit Irish PGA championship at Westport, although the player himself has yet to make a decision. Clarke played the three days with a heavy strapping on his knee, but remarked: "I hope to be able to play." However, he too has yet to make a final decision.
