2008 - Week 26 Winners

This week, we had high hopes of a home winner in the Irish Open, given the great performances of the Irish contingent on tour so far this season. However, most of them buckled under the pressure of performing before the adoring home crowd! Notable exceptions were my old mate Gary Murphy (long story!) who had a great final round to finish tied 3rd and young Rory McIlroy who played steadily all week. There was even a player from my small town in the field - something I never thought would never happen. Despite being a prodigious hitter of a golf ball, he tanked unfortunately, but I'm sure the experience will stand him in good stead.

Miraculously, the weather held up this time except for an hour or 2 on Sunday. Well done to Richard Finch for his victory and a solid performance on the last day. He should consider wearing flippers and a wet suit next year though!! As far as I an aware, he became the first person to throw himself into a river during a tournament!

O-medetou (congrats!) to Ryuji Imada for going one better this year in the AT&T Classic and winning in a play-off. His opponent, Kenny Perry, was very unlucky to find the water on the playoff hole after his shot ricocheted off a tree. Still, Imada-san obviously likes the course and the area, having gone to college there and deserved his victory with a brilliant putting display all week.