Welcome to the Limerick Post Newspaper’s online update for the JP Mc Manus Pro Am. Keep refreshing this story over the next two days for all the latest news from the 2010 JP Mc Manus Pro Am from Adare Manor Golf Resort in Limerick. If you have any comments, please email [email protected] and we will post same on this story.
08.40 – The first set of golfers have now played three holes. A shotgun start saw 27 groups tee off at 8am and on the course at the moment are such stars as, US Open Champion Graeme Mc Dowell, Luke Donald, Paul Mc Ginley, Movie Star Hugh Grant and twinkle toed Michael Flatley. As we speak the Jean Van De Velde led Adare Manor team of Tim Finchem, Tim Smith and Todd Woodbridge lead on two under. An impressive start I think you will agree. With the crowds beginning to descend on the picturesque Adare Course, all is set for a fabulous two days of golf. If you cannot make it to the event, follow us and we will try and keep you up to date as much as we can over the two days.
09.00 – The booming noise of the Live95fm studio announces that it is nine of clock on the course and there have been some interesting scores so far. Graeme Mc Dowell’s, Roselawn team are two under, while Van De Velde’s Adare Manor team have gone to three under after three. The news on the course is that Tiger Woods has arrived in Ireland. The World No.1 flew in this morning and landed at 8a.m. Irish time. Tiger tees off on the first at 1.30pm and is playing this year with Brendan Mullin, JP Magnier and Bernard Droux. The 2005 champion Padraig Harrington is playing with Pieta House trio of Liam O Sullivan, Brendan Broderick and Shane Gallagher. In other news, 15 handicapper and Spurs manager Harry Redknapp is out on the course at present. Harry started on the 12th with Richard Finch, Michael Tabor and Roger Shine for company. The happy go lucky manager is joined on this trip by his son Jamie Redknapp who plays off of a very respectable seven handicap. Time for coffee now it seems, then more golf and more updates. Don’t forget to email [email protected] with your thoughts.
High Noon – Apologies for the long delay, but power outs and internet failure have hampered us in the media zone in Adare. We are all back now and hopefully the bugs have been found and dispatched. Padraig Harrington just joined us here in the media centre and he spoke of his visit to Adare. The three time major winner has been in Adare since last Friday, receiving some swing tips from his coach Sam Torrance. “This tournament is unique. JP travels to at least six tournaments a year, meeting with the players and talking about his competition. The event is so laid back it allows for great golf and good fun for all” Padraig Harrington tees it up at 1.30pm. John Daly has just entered the media centre now, so this should be good. Finally in this installment, Due to Injury, Lee Westwood and Robert Karlsson have had to withdraw from playing in the JP Mc Manus Pro-Am in July.
16.30 – Tiger has played his first nine holes of the JP Pro AM in glorious weather. The World number one is not having the greatest day on the course in terms of scores, but he is making the galleries happy with some spectacular shots. The main draw of the event is being followed around the course by at least 10,000 fans of the 35,000 who are here in attendance. Dustin Johnson is leading the way for the Pro’s on three under par, while the team from Lourdes Invalid Trust (2) are leading the team competition on 17 under combined score. More updates to come.
17.09 – The sun is still shining on Adare Manor as the final groups enter their final six holes of the round. With bad weather forecast tomorrow the scores posted today will be hard to beat if the leading teams can keep the ball between the ditches.
18.10 – Captains log, sunburned. . . The day is coming to a close and the crowds are awaiting the final few holes of the day. The unique set up of this tournament is that all holes will be in use until the close of play. Leading the way for the Pro’s is John Cook who is on 3 under playing the 16th. John is accompanied by Bill Cullen who is apparently going to fire John Cook if he doesn’t win. Ha. In the team news, Lourdes Invalid Trust team (2) lead the way on 17 under. That team consists of Limerick Golfers, Gary Neville, Neal Whelan and Cian Foley.
Thanks to all those who clicked through today round ups. I promise to have more tomorrow if the broadband keeps up.
DAY 2
06.44 – Yes, a quarter to seven in the morning. The crowds are starting to arrive here in Adare Manor for the second and final day of the JP Mc Manus Pro Am in Adare. With a four way tie at the top of the Pro leader board and a Limerick team topping the team standings after day one, a great day of golf beckons.Tiger Woods and Graeme Mc Dowell tee off at 8am on the first tee, while Ernie Els and Paul Casey tee off at the same time over on the 10th. With crowds expected to reach the 30,000 plus mark again today, visitors are advised to arrive early and make the most of the day early on. For more course updates stay logged on and we will be back.
9.00 – Play is well under way here now on Day 2. Tiger Woods has gone down the first to a huge roar. Accompanied by 18 stewards and five Gardai, the World number one has birdied the third to go back to six over par. The leader on the course is Rory Sabbatini, who has just been joined by Jim Furyk and Soren Hanson. The crowds are beginning to roll in too now and the weather appears to be better than expected. Ian Poulter and his fancy pants are due in for interview at 11.30, so we will be back to you so after that with some quotes and reaction.
11.00 – The rain is now lashing down in Adare as spectators and assembled media rush for cover. There has been little change on the scoreboard since the last update as Soren Hansen still leads on two under, alongside Rory Sabbatini and Peter Hanson. Lourdes Invalid Trust (2) lead the way on the team front on 24 under. Gary Neville, Neal Whelan and Cian Foley are playing alongside John Cook.
The talk of the press tent this morning is the coverage that Tiger Woods received in the morning papers. Some nationals went with the colorful stories while others focused on Tiger’s Garda protection. My own view on all of this is of course that Limerick is a sporting city and we are only here to watch sport. Everything that happens off the course is not for us to comment on. That’s my two cents, leave me know yours on [email protected], but keep them clean. We have had some emails already but we have been unable to use most of them. God bless that Limerick wit.
12.00 – Ian Poulter has just been in to chat to the media. For those of you who are wondering, he wore pink pants. They are less offensive to the eye than others he has worn in the past, but they are still pink none the less. The British Open contender was complimentary of JP Mc Manus and his tournament. “It is amazing what JP does for charity. I would love to play here any time I am asked. JP invited me and I didn’t think twice about taking him up on his offer”
Poulter goes into next week’s Open Championship at St Andrews as one of the home town favorites. “I will be going up there next week for a few practice rounds and then I will be taking the Monday – Wednesday quietly. The Open practice rounds can go on for 7 hours so I will try and get most of my prep work done in the days leading up to the event itself.”
On the course, Peter Hanson and John Cook are leading at two under. St Josephs Foundation have taken the lead in the team event. Evan Talty, Eric Murrihy and Michael Talty are 28 under playing alongside Heath Slocum who is currently +3 for the tournament.
15.00 – Jim Furyk and Dustin Johnson have just informed us that they will be hanging around these emerald shores for another few days. Jim and his family will be playing some golf and fishing, down Lahinch way, while Dustin and crew are heading to Dublin for some golf and “hanging out” The US Ryder Cup hopefuls were in jovial mood as they spoke of their amazement at the enthusiasm of the Limerick galleries. “I saw one man fall over and twist his ankle, he was running so hard to get an autograph” said Furyk. Johnson added that “We had great fun and we played some good golf. The galleries were unreal and I was under prepared for what we saw. We had some good laughs and I really enjoyed my two days”.
On the leaderboard, Darren Clarke is the leader in the clubhouse on three under par. Steve Webster is playing his fourth hole and is only one shot back on two under par. The team event is being led in the clubhouse by Lourdes Invalid Trust (2) on 30 under par.
For more, check back in soon.
18.00 – Nearly there. Almost 12 hours after coming onto the grounds this morning, I am ready for more coffee and a result in the golf. At the moment it looks as if we are to have an Irish winner of the Pro event and a local winner of the team event. Darren Clarke still leads in the clubhouse. The big hitter was set to be on a plane at this stage has been in the lead now for most of the afternoon. Names such as Poulter, Donald and Mc Ilroy have all threatened to make a charge, but the tough wind conditions have been a huge factor in the afternoon, all be it, the rain has stayed away. Second sport is being shared at present between Paul Mc Grane and Luke Donald on one under. The team event is a three way tie at 30 under, between St Josephs, Gerry Mc Manus’ Team and Lourdes Invalid Trust (2). With Lourdes Invalid Trust (1) now on 29 under with 5 holes to go, they look like favourites to win.
19.13 – It’s all over, Darren Clarke is the 2010 JP Mc Manus Pro Am Champion. The 21 year tour veteran adds this tournament to his 19 other tour wins, the most glamorous of which were the WGC in 2000 and the NEC Invitational in 2003. Clarke shot a four under 68 today with birdies at five, nine, 12, 15, 18 and an eagle at seven. The winning trophy, designed by Lorenzo Quinn, was presented to Darren Clarke by tournament host and organiser JP Mc Manus in front of huge galleries on the famous 18th green.
Over 80,000 spectators witnessed some fabulous golf over two days at Adare Manor. The weather only hindering golfers and spectators for a few holes over the course of two days. Darrne Clarke is the toast of the town tonight however as the Northern Irish star wins the JP Mc Manus Pro Am following in the footsteps of Padraig Harrington in 2005 and Tiger Woods in Limerick GC in 2000.
In a field that boast the World No.1 and 14 major winners, Darren Clarke’s 68 today 141 score over two days was more than worthy of the win.
For more on the JP Mc Manus Pro Am, check out this week’s Limerick Post Newspaper which will hit the stands on Thursday morning early. Thank you for following our updates and if you have any events you would live covered, email [email protected]. Than you and good night.
