England’s Robert Rock is out to make amends for his 2009 Irish Open disappointment after moving to a share of the clubhouse lead on day of the event at Carton House on the outskirts of Dublin.
Rock, 35 commencing his round holing a five-foot birdie before highlighting his day in landing his 281-yard second shot at the fourth hole to four feet and sinking the eagle putt.
“I’ve been putting a little bit better lately so to start the day with even a 5‑foot putt for a birdie was nice, and I drove it well for the rest of the round really,” he said.
“It then a relatively easy eagle at the fourth but overall a steady day, no bogeys while a tidy short game kept it going.”
Four years ago, Rock found himself facing then Ireland-born amateur Shane Lowry in a play-off for the Irish Open.
In contrast to Rock, Lowry had virtually the entire crowd on his side.
Then earlier last year, Rock played the final round of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship alongside 14-time Major winning, Tiger Woods.
Rock captured a second European Tour title by a shot from Rory McIlroy and relegating Woods to a share of third place and two shots behind.
However Rock admitted dealing with the Irish crowd was a far more difficult assignment then going 18 holes with Woods.
“I’ll never forget that day, playing with Shane as that was really, really tough,” said Rock.
“It was probably harder almost than playing alongside Tiger, because I did feel like I had some people on my side in Abu Dhabi (smiling).
“I don’t even think there was one at Baltray.”
Former US Amateur champion, Peter Uihlein also set about capturing a second Race to Dubai success in four events after last month breaking through for his first pro victory in capturing the Madeira Islands Open.
Uihilein had spent three-and-a-half years playing in windy conditions while at Oklahoma State University and then capturing the 2010 US Amateur the wind-exposed Chalmers Bay course in Washington State.
“We would play in a tornado in Oklahoma so it was a good experience there, and I feel like in the wind, you don’t have to be perfect, which is what I kind of struggle with,” he said.
“I would try and be too perfect sometimes and in the wind, you just play golf, you hit shots and you just try and manoeuver it a little bit. I feel like when it gets windy, you have almost a little more room, so I enjoy it.”
Four players –Sweden’s Oscar Floren (71), Dutchman Joost Luiten (70), Portugal’s Ricardo Santos (66) and Spain’s Jose Maria Olazabal (69) – share third place on seven under par.
This week marks the 23rd anniversary of Olazabal’s 1990 Irish Open success at Portmarnock.
However last year’s victorious European Ryder Cup captain is looking for a first victory in nearly eight years.
