Golf Central

Padraig Harrington was born in Ballyroan in Dublin on this day in 1971. A Walker Cup player in 1995, his first professional victory came at the Spanish Open in 1996, but had to wait another four years until his second European Tour victory at The Brazil Open. Distant sporting relatives include 1995 World Series of Poker champion and author Dan Harrington and NFL Quarterback Joey Harrington. He’s won in Europe a further 10 times and three times on the PGA Tour, played in four Ryder Cup competitions and his victory in the 2007 Open Championship was a momentous achievement for a legendary grafter and unlikely golfing hero.

Also on this day, in 1994, the IRA declared a complete ceasefire after 25 years of military action against the British government, while in 1997, Princess Diana died in a car crash in Paris.

It’s Netan Sansara! as they say in the Walsall area, to; penalty expert, Pepe Reina (25), fast-talking actor, Chris Tucker (35) and Roman rogue, Caligula (if he hadn't been assassinated nearly 2000 years ago.)

Was it a cracker then?: Thomas Levet’s ace on his first hole of the day suggested it was going to be a low-scoring morning and that’s just how it turned out.
Tell me more…: OK. Marc ‘Rabbit’ Warren leads after a superb 8-under par 65, courtesy of a swing shake-up with his coach Bob ‘Sam’s dad’ Torrance, leading by a shot from Belgian entertainer Nicolas ‘Er…’ Colsaerts, with Jeev Milkha ‘Teach The World To’ Singh and Miles ‘I’ll get back to you on that one as well’ Tunnicliff.
Now tell me less...: Levet dropped two shots over the next three holes and eventually finished with a 4-under 69.
Is Warren the real deal then?: According to playing partner Paul Casey the 26 year-old Scot is “a hell of a player”. He’s currently sitting in mid-table in the Order Of Merit, while Colsaerts is fighting for his livelihood in 217th place.
Nice fella, though: Right enough. Bit of a laugh, looks the part and nearly made history with utterly outrageous ace at the 419 yard par-4 8th, when his tee shot shaved the hole. He had to settle for an eagle two.
Poor bloke. Can’t be many players who’ve aced their first hole, either: You’re right – only Paul Lawrie has managed the same feat, here in Gleneagles seven years ago.
How did the InGolfWeTrust tips do?: Tournament Chairman Colin Montgomerie is tied 13th after a 69, as is Alistair Forsyth, while Martin Kaymer is staring down the barrel of a gun, tied for 98th after a 1-over 74.
Do they actually shoot people who miss the cut these days?: Apparently Monty insisted on a last-minute rule change, which means a restless night for last week’s winner Ross Fisher, who shot 76.

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