European Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke will add another first to his illustrious playing career by travelling to Communist Russia later this year.
Clarke indicated he is very likely to be present in Moscow to tee-up in the September 3rd starting M2M Russian Open being played on the Skolkovo course on the south-western outskirts of the Russian capital.
The European Team Captain will join fellow Ulsterman, and former tournament winner, Michael Hoey in what will be the commencement in Russia of the year-long 2016 Ryder Cup qualifying process
Darren Clarke to join fellow Ulsterman Michael Hoey in Moscow later this year. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
However Hoey was left lamenting after Spain’s Pablo Larrazabal came from five shots back to post a score of 66 and defeat World No. 7 Henrik Stenson by a shot with a 17-under par tally and claim a second BMW trophy in four years.
Hoey went into a share of the lead with a fourth birdie in five holes from the fifth but it proved to be the highwater mark of his challenge when he bogeyed the 13th and 14th holes in a score of 70 to share seventh place
“I did well to be leading the tournament considering I didn’t feel like I was playing great but it just caught up with me at 13 and 14,” he said.
“So to play the back nine in two over par was disappointing but then I have to be pleased as it’s my best finish all season.”
In fact, it is Hoey’s best result since a similar finish last October in Portugal.
Clarke spent the later part of the afternoon relaxing on the verandah of the Munich Golf Club clubhouse after his round of 69 for a nine-under par tally and a tie for 20th.
“It was nice to grab a few birdies there at the end of my round but overall I didn’t play that well this week, and really I was very poor,” said Clarke.
“Fortunately, I was on the practice putting green the other day and Pablo Larrazabal and his caddy Chris Rice spotted something they thought I was doing wrong in my putting, so that was a great little tip.
“After that I managed to roll the ball pretty well which is the best I have putted in a long time, so that aspect of my game was good and my short game was good but the rest was, well I won’t say.
“I’ve decided also to stay out here in Europe rather than go home so I’ve got three days work ahead of this week’s French Open.”
Shane Lowry is taking a well deserved week’s break after a closing 73 to share 29th place at seven under par.
“I’m right out of gas and now looking forward to putting my feet up for a week,” he said.
“The last two weeks has really taken it out of me so I’ll recharge the batteries before heading to Scotland for two big weeks.”
Damien McGrane signed off with a 72 for a six-under par tally and two fewer than good friend Peter Lawrie (70) whereas Kevin Phelan, who was in contention through two rounds, slumped with closing rounds of 76 and 75 for a two over par total
