Pádraig Harrington is on the brink of ending his eight-year wait to qualify for the US Open after his 36-hole Final Qualifying event was delayed by weather in Ohio. Harrington (49) opened with a one-under 71 at Brookside Golf and Country Club following a three-hour and 15 minute weather delay for heavy rain in the morning. Meanwhile, Lahinch’s Aideen Walsh and Hermitage’s Rowan Lester lead the ISPS Handa Ulster Men’s and Women’s Stroke Play heading into today’s final round at Royal County Down. The Championship, which is the first competitive event run by Golf Ireland since the new governing body came into existence in January, marks the return to competition for Ireland’s elite amateurs. Walsh shot rounds of 77 and 79 for a one-stroke lead over Ballinrobe’s Shannon Burke and a two-shot advantage over County Louth’s Deirdre Smith on four-over par.

Source: Irish Independent June 08, 2021 06:45 UTC