Ireland rookie pro Kevin Phelan celebrated making the halfway cut his very first professional event in wet and windy conditions more akin to back home on day two of the KLM Open at Zandvoort.
Less than a week ago Phelan was in the States contesting the Walker Cup and he’s come to Holland looking now to make the most of a sponsors invitation in grabbing four birdies and taking two bogeys in a round of a two under par 68 to make the one under par cut right on the mark.
It left the 22-year old trailing eight shots behind the Spanish duo of Miguel Angel Jimenez (67) and Pablo Larrazabal (66) who head the field on nine under par.
Padraig Harrington looks to the heavens after missing the cut in the KLM Open. (Photo – David Lloyd/www.golffile.ie)
Three players including former double KLM Open champion Simon Dyson (63) and fellow past winner Ross Fisher (65) plus Frenchman Julien Quesne (65) share second place on eight under par.
Jimenez is looking to win a second Dutch title 19 years after a first while Dyson won both KLM Open victories on this Kennemer course.
Paul McGinley (67) and Damien McGrane (70) share the leading Irish honours on five under par and with McGinley, who has again having to deal with Ryder Cup ‘administrative issues’, delighted to again be able to display his talents inside the ropes, and to also make it three guaranteed pay cheques in succession for only a first time this year.
“It was solid start with two birdies and just one bogey on the card when I drove into a bush at the 13th and had to take a penalty drop,” he said.
“We’ve got some brutal weather coming in by all accounts so it’s going to be a war of attrition over the weekend.”
McGrane had just one birdie and one bogey in his round and remarking: “I struggled all day and level par was a fair reflection on how I played and I am content with that after hitting everything left all day.”
Shane Lowry was disappointed to three-putt the last for bogey in a score of 68 to be at three under par and one fewer than Simon Thornton (68) while Waterville’s David Higgins posted a 67 to be tied right on the one under with Phelan.
“It’s a good start and I’m really pleased to squeak in there for the weekend and hopefully I can play well over the last two rounds,” said Phelan.
In contrast, Padraig Harrington was left surprised after posting a 69 that included an eagle, two birdies but also three bogeys for a level par tally.
“I couldn’t believe the cut went to one under,” he said.
Harrington will next compete in the September 26th starting Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and an event he’s won twice before.
