McGrane keeps good run going

McGrane keeps good run going

Friday August 5th 2005

GOLF: Johnnie Walker Championship

DAMIEN McGRANE'S mid-season purple patch of good form continued during a bleak and overcast opening day of the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles.

McGrane ended his round in drizzling rain near 7pm with a two-under par 70 that left the Carlanstown golfer just two strokes from the lead. England's Mark Foster heads the event on four-under par with McGrane next best and among a dozen players on two-under.

Gary Murphy, who competed alongside McGrane, ended his day with a one-under par 71 while Dublin's Peter Lawrie was a shot further back on level par.

McGrane was fifth heading to the final round of last week's Scandinavian Masters before ending in a share of 11th place, while he was sixth a month earlier in the Smurfit European Open at The K Club.

Both were one-under par after three holes and then three-under par through nine holes after McGrane birdied his fifth and sixth holes and Murphy eagled his ninth. Murphy was the only player on the opening day to eagle the uphill par five when he chipped in from 40 yards.

McGrane then went bogey, birdie, bogey to drop to two-under par while Murphy bogeyed his 12th and then doubled his 14th before a birdie at 15. He bogeyed 17 but then birdied the last.

"I have been playing well of late and it's been steady and that always helps," said McGrane afterwards. Of the other Irish, Philip Walton carded a two-over par 74 while Stephen Browne signed off for a three-over par 75.

Meanwhile, Colin Montgomerie is a doubtful starter for next week's US PGA Championship after withdrawing after 13 holes.

Monty complained of swelling in three fingers on his right hand. It was clear something was amiss when his second shot at his ninth hole travelled only 50 yards and straight into the rough.

He took a couple of pain-killing tablets but could only manage four more holes before leaving the course and returning to London where he was intending to have the hand inspected by the same specialist who treated his injured left hand during the 2003 British Open.

"I will have X-rays and all sorts of things but hopefully it is just bruised," he said. "My shot at my ninth was probably one of the worst I have ever played but hopefully everyone understands I cannot play if I am not physically fit."