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Smyth denied in rain-battered
Ballyliffin
24.06.08
SPAIN'S Juan Quiros
clinched his third European Seniors Tour title when
he pipped home favourite Des Smyth by a single
stroke in a drenched Ballyliffin on Sunday.
The two were locked in a tight contest in adverse
conditions at Ballyliffin's Old Course, but it was
Quiros who would pull out the magic to clinch the
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The 52-year-old pitched
his third shot from 132 yards to within 18 inches of
the last hole with a wedge and then made the birdie
putt to edge past Smyth.
It meant Smyth, who started the day one stroke ahead
of the Spaniard, was denied a popular home win.
Spectators who braved the |
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driving rain were
rewarded with some nail-biting play from both
players.
Quiros admitted to reporters that he had never
played in conditions quite as bad as those affecting
the top Inishowen links course on Sunday.
And it was to be double delight later that evening
as he watched his home side beat Italy in a penalty
shoot-out in Euro 2008 with It wasn't so good for
Italian golfer Giuseppe Cali, who was one of six
players tied for third on three-over-par.
"The course was okay this morning but an hour before
I started the conditions changed, the wind was
coming in from the beach and it was unbelievable,"
said Quiros.
"I can't remember the last time I played in
conditions like that. But that's golf and you have
to play. The greens were perfect and the course was
in perfect condition," he added. Ian Woosnam, who
had been battling all week with a troublesome hip
injury, carded a 74 to finish in tied ninth place on
four-over-par - five shots behind the winner.
Woosnam was looking forward to a week off before
heading to Russia and then on to the Senior Open
Championship.
For more photos of the Irish Seniors Open
click here
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