Robert Rock’s Irish Open Popularity To Be Again Tested.

Robert Rock’s Irish popularity is sure to be tested five years after losing a play-off in the Irish Open.

Rock has put himself in contention to again capture the Irish Open after a second round 66 for an eight under par total and share second place and just two strokes the second round lead at Fota Island.

The 37-year old double Tour winner is tied with former US Open champ Graeme McDowell, who also posted a 66 as he seeks also a first Irish Open win along with France’s Romain Wattel (65).

Robert Rock's Irish Open popularity will be tested over the weekend at Fota Island. (Photo- www.golffile.ie)

Robert Rock’s Irish Open popularity will be tested over the weekend at Fota Island. (Photo- www.golffile.ie)

In 1999 Rock found himself in a play-off with Irish-born amateur Shane Lowry, and with a huge pro-Lowry crowd helping deliver victory to the Irishman.

There was no untoward comments but plenty of crowd movement to easily distract the Englishman.

Rock’s consolation was Lowry’s amateur status meant the Staffordshire golfer pocketed the top prize of Euro 1/2m.

And after again finishing runner-up a year ago at Carton House in outer Dublin Rock is hoping a turnaround in Irish crowd support can help him capture a third European Tour success.

“It is more to do with the time of year as I played well at the start of the year but then struggled, and your confidence takes a bit of a bashing, but then you work hard and I seem to start to play well again and it all turns around,” he said.

“But the crowd has been quite good this week but then not that much that particular day in 2009 but I guess they are now feeling a bit sorry for me, and they’ve all been very nice.”

Defending Irish Open champ Paul Casey posted a second straight 69 to move to four under par and keep alive his hopes of retain the crystal trophy.

“I am just going to have to keep on rolling and making birdies, so for me, it’s about putting the foot down and aim at a few more flags and keep playing aggressive,” said Casey.



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