Published November 20, 2014
While Rory McIlroy fell out of contention at the Irish Open, his playing partner David Howell shot a round-best 7-under 64 to take a share of the lead Saturday.
The 36-year-old Howell put himself in contention for his first tournament win in five years by shooting what he called his best round in 12 months. Coincidentally, his previous best, also a 64, happened on the same Killarney course on the opening day of last year's event.
Howell ended up sharing the lead when England's Simon Dyson birdied the 17th hole and Australia's Richard Green birdied the last. Both finished with rounds of 67 to join Howell at 11-under 202.
"I was far calmer than I thought I was going to be," said Howell, who played amid the biggest crowds with McIlroy in his group. "It was wonderful to play with the winner of the U.S. Open and the star of world golf here in his home country."
Homegrown stars McIlroy and Graeme McDowell fell out of contention with 72s on a wet, windy third round of play on Saturday. Stephen Gallacher of Scotland also shot a 68 and was two shots behind the leaders.
McIlroy had a terrible start, double-bogeying the first and eighth holes. He also bogeyed the par-3 third as his wind-blown tee shot sailed left into a stream. He finished eight shots behind the leaders.
Howell birdied seven holes, including a trio of long par-4s from holes 11 to 13, which are among the course's most challenging.
He appeared to thrive as the weather turned foul midway into his round. An hourlong downpour sent spectators scurrying for ponchos or the cover of oak trees. Only a lone red deer, running loose on a fairway, appeared to appreciate the deluge.
Disappointment was the order of the day for the Irish hosts as the tournament's field of homegrown stars fizzled. Only two of the seven remaining Irish players broke par.
Already missing British Open title holder Darren Clarke and three-time major champion Padraig Harrington, who crashed out Friday, more than 20,000 fans lined the fairways hoping to see a show from McIlroy and 2010 U.S. Open winner McDowell.
It quickly turned into a show of futility. Both McIlroy and McDowell started five behind the leaders and finished eight shots back.
McIlroy sliced his opening drive onto the rocky shore of Lough Leane. His awkward second shot clipped a stone and settled in the mud some 20 yards away. He three-putted for a double bogey.
He also bogeyed the par-3 third, teeing off wide left into a stream. Then he double-bogeyed No. 8 to mar his round of 72.
McDowell birdied the first hole but teed off into a bunker on the short 3rd, then three-putted for double bogey.
McDowell said the gusting winds and sticky, subtly undulating greens got the best of him as he hit the fairway on only six drives and came up short on several par-saving putts.
"I just missed too many fairways and was seriously cold on the greens. They have me seriously confused. I just can't read them at all," said McDowell, who planned to celebrate his 32nd birthday Saturday with dinner in the town of Killarney alongside his wife and kids.
"I'm feeling every bit of 32," he said, adding with a sly grin: "Who knows, I might have a celebratory pint."
Meanwhile, the 22-year-old McIlroy conceded he forced shots in hopes of entertaining the home fans, many of whom came specifically to see the phenomenon from Holywood, Northern Ireland. He said his main hope Sunday was to be paired with McDowell.
"I'm feeling as if I need a couple of drinks or something," McIlroy said. "At this tournament, you're trying so hard to play well for not just yourself, but for everyone else. Sometimes you can just find yourself trying a little too hard and pushing a bit too much."
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/howell-green-dyson-in-tie-at-irish-open