Episode 2 Irish Open - Highlights

It's been a pulsating start to the Irish Open, as the north coast

plays host to Ireland's major championship. To win it at Royal

Portrush in front of my family and friends would be the icing on the

cake. It would be right up there. Feeling wise, it as close to a

major as you can get. It would be huge, to give me a boost of

confidence, and get my season right up there. The tournament returns to

Northern Ireland for the first time in almost 60 years. The famous maul

did not do any damage to their title ambition after the first

day's play. -- four. Darren Clarke and Rory McIlroy are both thrilled

to be on their home course, in front of their home fans. The man

who started this at Irish golfing revolution, portrait Harrington, is

showing some impressive form at his favourite venue. -- for Drake

Harrington. Rory McIlroy is very much in contention. The men they

are chasing are the pace-setters, Singh from India, and Gregory

Bourdy. Welcome to Royal Portrush, for day two of the Irish Open.

After a typical opening day when the rain came, the son shone,

thankfully today has been a bit better. There have been capacity

crowds, people queuing from 6am in the morning to see the golfing

stars, including Darren Clarke, who has been acting as an ambassador

for this tournament, long before his triumph last year when he

brought the famous claret jug back It's obviously at my heart, I love

Royal Portrush. I love the whole area. It's an unbelievably special

place, all the locals, the whole area, has got it right behind it.

For everyone, for myself, it will There has been a lot of work behind

the scenes, the European Tour, all of those involved, the members at

Royal Portrush, to get the Irish Open to come here, a wonderful,

wonderful achievement. The politicians both side of the border

have got it together, it's a We are riding the crest of a wave

to have the tournament here. To have it as the best course in the

country is a massive achievement. Darren Clarke's championship medal

sits proudly in the clubhouse here, he has been attracting massive

galleries. He is not the leading Irishman on the leader board, that

honour falls to Padraig Harrington. The defending champion, Simon Dyson,

and Ross Fisher are well placed. Rory McIlroy is also in the chase.

Rory McIlroy is also in the chase. He was one of the early starters,

he teed off at the 10th hole. Three birdies on his front nine, and this

shot at the par five, number nine, helped him. Darren Clarke had this

at the same hole. It ended up to be a fourth birdie of the round. He

wasn't doing as well as Lorenzo Gagli, he had six birdies in his

first 10 holes, followed by this tee shot at the par-three 11th. It

was almost an ace for the Italian. He picked up where he left off

yesterday, finding his range very quickly. He is four under for the

day after 10 holes. Gagli and to join our commentary team with

Rory McIlroy. He is at the 5th hole. It sounded

good. It pitched into the hill. look to Jamie Donaldson of Wales.

Some lovely golf today. He is tied for third. He needed to get that a

Little bit further, but it is working out perfectly. That was a

fantastic pitch from Jamie Donaldson. The rain is starting to

fall now. Trying to get back that drop shot at the 15th. -- dropped.

A combination of wind and rain as we look at Gregory Bourdy. There

and you are off the cliff. It's amazing how often he goes for the

all well under par. Darren Clarke has been working very hard with his

coach over the last month or so. He let that one go a Little, he is

going to have a very tricky shot. He has had a groin injury which has

been boring him over the last month also. Bradley at the 5th, his a

birdie. This is an interesting Little shot, isn't it? You can't

see how it's lying, of course that's how you do it. Gregory

Bourdy is leading from one stroke from Lorenzo Gagli. McIlroy, he was

65 yards from the green with his driver, he will be hoping for a

three here. A missed opportunity. Francesco Molinari for a par three.

Safely done. Still no bogeys for him today. The wind is coming in

off the left. That's not a nice spot, a very steep bank. We go to

Jamie Donaldson. Second shot on the 16th. This is such a deep hollow,

he can't see anything. He just has to aim for the distance. He has

plenty of green to work with, but he has to hit it. Visualisation.

Gagli at the 16th. He has got the radar working today, the young

Italian. This is me go for London - - this is Mikko Ilonen, of Finland.

He was a Little wide. A lot of pars for him. He's just a three behind

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yesterday. -- two. Let's hope he does that have another stumble.

impressive from Gregory Bourdy, Almost seven. A very strong finish

towards the end of the last season here. Down towards the breeze. It

depends on the life. It will cut to the back of the green. It could

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have hit for the same price. It disappointing drop shot on the par-

three sixth hole, but a very good birdie there. A great putt for the

birdie. He is on par three today, Bradley that Bradley Keegan has

Irish Irish relatives. He came here I am having such a great time, I

came to check out the golf course. I went to see the Giant's Causeway.

I went to the Bush knows whisky brewery. Did you sample and he?

no, I just went for a drive. It has been great. I came out here and I

was on the 17th: They couldn't believe it. It is bigger than the

house I grew up in. You do not want I plan on next time coming a little

early and disdain later so I can enjoy it a little more and go

travel. Next time, I plan to do that. We use spread the word to

your countrymen about Northern Ireland? -- we you spread the word?

Yes, I will bring some guys with me next year, they are missing out. It

Jamie Donaldson. Four under par for his round with a double-bogey. Lots

of birdies, and another one on the We are nature on the eight two,

Himalayas, that has been extended in the last few years. -- we are

here on No. 8. It has been extended by 70 yards. That players will

drive into a narrow section of the fairway. A long, demanding drive to

get into position to see the green for the second shot. The black-and-

white Paul Max the position of the green. -- black and white Paul

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but should be a part of four. -- A fabulous shot. Absolutely

Fabulous. From the rough, again, through the wind, it switched it to

as we have just seen. -- the pitch if it had not found that bunker. It

every shot to pieces someone, but that shot pleased everyone. --

that in for a round of 66. Excellent effort. Not a very good

chip from Gregory Bourdy to the closing birdie. He matches Cabrera

ninth. The birdie chance. Go on. The round of 71. Level par,

unlikely to be enough to stay around for the weekend. Rory,

meanwhile... It depends on the conditions this afternoon. This

golf course is still pretty storable, even when the conditions

are not great. -- scorable. I will have the deficit going in, but I

have made it up before. I think it will take something as there was a

61, but if I can get myself into contention with a 65 or something,

that would be a great score and get me in there for Sunday. Many crowds

following year, lots of expectation, have you enjoyed this or is there

too much pressure? No, I have enjoyed it. The last few years I

have felt it as a bit of a burden with the expectation, but this year,

I am trying to embrace it and accepted, and it is great to have

many people had their winning the one hand wanting you to do very

well and hit great shocks, it is a nice feeling. Would have liked to

have been better, but 69, not bad today. Typical Portrush, sunburnt

in the morning, soaked in the afternoon. Yes, a good start, made

the most of it, then he bogey knocked the wind out of my sails,

but kept myself going with a nice birdie. How tough were the last few

holes? The rain coming down, and the breeze, but that his links golf.

The great thing about Portrush, there are very few holes

consecutive holes in the same direction of the wind. You have to

refer to the yardage book can see where the windows. Changing hole

after all, that is a strength of the golf course. How police are you

with your form? It has been good. It has been fun. I played poorly in

the last few years, and it is great to be back in contention and be

back on the leaderboard, it is a Two very impressive days for Bourdy.

The afternoon starters include Paul Lawrie. This long range eagle at

the 9th. Beautifully done. He birdied it the 8th as well, moving

on to seven under par. Graeme McDowell, meanwhile, so desperate

to do well at his home course, he would make birdies at 10 and 11. He

is at three under. Padraig Harrington, the leading Irishman,

this shot into the 10th, already a couple under par. That took him to

three under for his round, and eight under par, four shot behind

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bottom of his swing, that is we wanted, just at the bottom of the

links golf is all about. The line is on the right hand side, because

anything centre or left is going to kick into the rough on the left-

hand side. A ball coming up a is going to catch the slope, and go

all the way down to the centre of the fairway. It will leave the

players in a better position for their shot. Having negotiated the

second shot, they will find themselves at the green. It is a

very small target, a plateau green. It falls away at the back, the

front, at the right hand side, and particularly here on the left-hand

side, where it falls into this difficult bunker, nobody will want

problem at all, well done. That is another birdie. This for a par four.

Getting. Well done. I think the most admirable way they -- Adam

Moore thing about it is the way they have code of the conditions.

Nearly up and down in two, a great shot. A McDowell at 12, Faure

another birdie. -- for another birdie. That is a three in a row.

Four in five holes. You would have backed him to hold that one, he

could watch a Simon Dyson's putt. Well played. Harrington to nine

under. There is McDowell up the hill. A lovely little hole, up and

over the hill, and down to the green. I know that Shane thinks of

it as his favourite. Harrington with a fairway metal 13th at the

13th. Cutting across the angle. That is gorgeous. You could imagine

how that would run in a really hot weather. Bourdy continues to lead

the way, will anyone catch him? wind is pretty much of the left. --

off. He should be looking at the flag. The striking is so good that

they get the ball to check up, even in these conditions. You just get

the feeling that Harrington is really in the mood for this, he is

going to be dangerous this weekend. I see his odds tumbling. That might

draw, but it's difficult to put spin on it. You don't want to give

much left. A nasty little bunker there. Michael Hoey, down at the

12th. Four under for today. Oh, yes! Birdie number five for the day.

Moving very smoothly along to seven under par. Come on! There is a

definite feel-good factor in this group, isn't there? Oh, yes!

Harrington is taking a very firm base against bats strong breeze. --

that. It could have been the wind that kept that one out. Jeev Milkha

Singh, trying to stay at eight under at the 15th. One of those

funny little holes, it is called would have tried to keep big well

inside the hole. It's difficult with the wind, to keep yourself

steady enough to start, it's easy to snatch the putter away. He has

pulled his sale in, not using the whole surface area. Very wise. That

looks like a driving iron. We have only been using half the name for

this hole, it is Calamity Corner. That's the higher study three. It

is the straightest as well. -- highest of there three. Michael

Hoey, just behind of them at the 13th. Nicely on the green. The

crowd is stopping the breeze a bit. Once it's on the green, the wind

will have an effect. It might move it a little left to right. Boldly

played. I think we can safely say, beautifully played. Hold your line.

He won a Commonwealth medal, was involved in a photo finish. So many

of these professional golfers come from sporting family's. -- families.

I think I'll have to leave it Julian away from the book makers,

the way he's talking about He won't be too unhappy, he has

found a wet patch, that would help things. Slightly on the down side.

Let's have a look again, he is a very strong man, not a tall man,

but a strong man. The base get a little short at the top, comes in,

drives hard, smashes it. A good effort. From 147 yards. Drifting

left a little. The wind really hit that. Harrington seems to have got

unlucky with his lie. He did not one that's going way up in the sky.

Mark Foster, a fat grip of the putter. He looks comfortable.

That's a great birdie to make. 10 under, within two. Well done, Mark.

Just finding a wet patch in the bunker. No question he was trying

to get it on the green. I still think it was an easier shot

chipping from the apron. There are a few things to take into account.

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It is a little heavier when it's left? Yes. Nobody's favourite with

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a cracking drive to find the again, it is easy to lose

concentration on those shots. You need to give it your full attention.

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the little hollow one the green. Like yesterday, it feels now as if

Nadal. Get back there, he shouted. John Daly, a two-time major

closing five holes from many of the leading groups. It's amazing, none

of the groups that have followed have made a birdie in the last five

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six holes for Paul Lawrie. -- four Padraig Harrington. Beautifully

and he elected to pay a three wood. Not passed Padraig Harrington by

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away from the ramp. Moving to the hit that. It has been a grind.

don't want to interrupt him, and champions moving on to the green.

Another home favourite trying to a good rattle. And nice part four

for reported Carrington, with a good finish. -- for a paltry

his second European victory this weekend. A long time since the

the local hero, born and bred here. Its fabulous round for him and a

nice way to finish. Showing the camaraderie on the European Tour,

the defending champion do lightly for his partners. -- delighted for

Conditions were tricky, the rain was moving in, strong showers this

afternoon, strong wind, but the first few holes, and is getting

down in myself. Great crowds came out to support us all and I wasn't

giving them much of a show, but thankfully, my long game has kept

me on the last few days. I hit the ball very well. Thankfully I found

by touching the greens. Four birdies in five holes. Nice to pick

one up at the last. Hallowed you have to go tomorrow to get a

realistic chance of winning this? Very low. 63, 64, something like

that in the morning might give me an advance on Sunday afternoon. I

need to play more aggressively tomorrow. Hopefully the pressure is

off. I do not want to mess this up. Delighted with my comeback today.

Looking forward to a good weekend. Michael, you're in the mix, what

was the key today? A good rhythm, so nice butts, just quite relaxed.

The crowds were massive. Did you feel the electricity? Yes, not just

at the finish, every single hole. At credit to everyone. The weather

has obviously not been great, suggest really enjoyed it. I played

with Graham, and he is very much a home boy, but I am surprised how

welcoming they were for me to. I was getting every bit as good

support. It is really nice and I really appreciated it. What is the

approach for the next few days? More of the same? It would be

lovely if it was as easy as that. I will take it as it comes. You said

you have already won macro and Irish Open, the pressure is off,

are you under pressure? Absolutely not, I'm not adding to it by being

in an Irish Open. Being in an Irish Open in Northern Ireland, it hasn't

been here for so long, been here in Royal Portrush and with the crowds

here, that makes it special. That is the end of a memorable day here

at Royal Portrush. It is great to see their home-grown talent making

such an impression on the leaderboard. Absolutely. The four

major winners, it is important area for the weekend. There will be a

lot of people here this weekend to seek Rory, Darren, Graham, Padraig

Harrington, it is a big confidence boost for Rory. He has not had a

great run the last few days. And for Darren, he is showing some

great form. Played very nicely today, so would be better over the

weekend. Border Carrington, leading the charge, looking very hot indeed.

-- Padraig Harrington. Yes, playing very well. Also Graham, grade on

the 18th hole, so they are right up there. A surprise package this week,

people will think, Michael Hoey, but probably not. He knows this

course inside out. Seven-under-par, five of the lead? Yes, a very

strong player. He won the trophy at St Andrews last year in wonderful

style and a former Northern Ireland champion also, so if the weather is