Harri and McKibbin frustrated
PADRAIG Harrington and Tom McKibbin have plenty of work to do if they are to stick around for the weekend.
It has been a sharp rise for McKibbin in the golfing world after capturing his first pro title earlier this year but the Holywood man will need a big Friday if he is to lift himself into contention.
It was a boring sort of day for the 20-year-old as he carded some 16 pars, with his sole blemish coming on the par-three 12th, in an even-par 72.
Harrington carded a one-over par 73 and is some eight shots behind leader Shubhankar Sharma.
The three-time Major champion did sink two birdies in his opening nine holes but a two-over par back nine leaves Harrington in a tie for 104th.
Leading the way is Shubhankar Sharma after posting a brilliant sevenunder-par 65. Teeing off on the 10th hole, the Indian golfer played his first nine holes five-under including an eagle on the par-five 18th.
Putts
“It was really solid,” Sharma said of his opening round. “I hit the ball pretty good. Made a lot of putts on the back nine which was my front nine, and the round kind of got even better when I made that third shot off 18.
“I holed out from 105 yards. That got me to 5-under, and the front nine was solid again, which was my back nine.”
And Sharma says his putter was the secret weapon in the bag today.
“I haven’t seen the stats but I’m sure I gained some strokes on the field with my putting.
“It was one of those days that the hole grew bigger and bigger. Really pleased, yes. I was great off the tee but putter would be number one.”
Former Irish Open champion Ross Fisher surged into second place with a six-under-par 66.
He is joined by countryman Jordan Smith and former Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjorn.
Teeing off on the 10th, the fun really began for the four-time Major winner in his final three holes. An errant tee shot on the par-four seventh saw McIlroy’s ball land in the water and drop a shot.
Fast forward a hole and McIlroy made no mistake, sinking a birdie putt from close range after a stunning approach on the tricky par-three eighth.
Voice
And the crowd truly found their voice when he sunk another birdie at the last to finish three-under par.
“It’s fantastic,” McIlroy said of the Thursday morning spectators. “No matter where we play The Irish Open, the crowds always come out. It’s a