The 255th time proved to be the charm for Jamie Donaldson, as the Welshman drew off to a 4-stroke victory in the Irish Open, which played to rave reviews at Royal Portrush.
The sellout crowds got their money’s worth, as Ireland’s four major champions all made the cut and played weekend rounds. Padraig Harrington was the sole Irishman in contention for the championship and put up a good challenge until fading on Sunday to a joint-seventh place finish.
Donaldson, 36, brought a 1-stroke lead into the final round and put the pedal to the metal with birdies at the second, third and fourth holes. He then went into quiet mode until the back nine, where he answered a bogey at 11 with birdies over three of the next four holes. Another bogey at 16 preceded birdies at 17 and 18.
“I just tried to keep the same thought process as at the start of the week, which is just playing simple shots and trying to hit fairways and greens, and take it from there and let the golf take care of itself,” Donaldson said.
Donaldson was effusive in his praise of the course and the galleries.
“They just made incredible use of the land that they had available and it’s just a great golf course,” Donaldson said. “It’s just such a pleasure to play. The support, you walk to every green, every tee and you’re getting clapped by masses of people who are incredibly friendly and very supportive.”
Harrington, who shot 276 (67-67-72-70), finished six strokes in back of Donaldson. He recorded six birdies against just one bogey over each of the first two rounds. He started the final round just two strokes behind the leader, but a bogey at the first hole, along with Donaldson’s fast start, proved insurmountable.
“I left a lot of shots out there most days, no more so than today,” Harrington said after Sunday’s round. “It’s tough when the putts aren’t dropping. I think the pluses, I hit the ball really well. I can only think of two less-than-perfect shots out there. There’s a lot of good play out there. It’s nice to have that going forward.”
FRINGE PLAYER
Rory McIlroy was always on the fringe of contention, but could never quite muster the sustained rally to put heat on the leaders. He started the final round six strokes behind Donaldson, but that rival’s early streak, likewise, proved too tall a task for McIlroy, who played a bogey-free final round to finish the event tied for 10th place at 277 (70-69-71-67).
“I didn’t hole as many putts as I would have liked, but I hit a
