Singh and Green share lead in Ireland
by Brian Murphy, 15 May 2008
Jeev Milkha Singh holds a share of the lead with Richard Green after the Indian’s brilliant up and down on his final hole of the first round at The Irish Open.
Green and Singh lead the way on six under par, with Sweden’s Johan Edford, Bradley Dredge and Frenchman Michael Lorenzo-Vera two shots further back at the Adare Manor Hotel and Golf Resort.
Defending champion Padraig Harrington had a disappointing day and is six shots off the lead after a first round of 72.
The last three winners on the European Tour have been Irishmen and teenager Rory McIlroy is leading the home charge on tow under par, with Peter Lawrie a shot further back.
Singh was in trouble on the ninth hole – his 18th – when his approach to the green landed in an awkward spot in a bunker.
The Indian was hampered by television cables and was forced to take the shot with his feet in some bushes. However, his recovery shot nearly hit the pin before rolling almost 40 feet past the pin.
Singh composed himself and rammed the return putt home to complete a brilliant 66 for a share of the lead.
“When I saw the ball, I knew the first thing is to go to the referee and make sure that I could take a stance without breaking any rules because there was a chance of being penalised,” Singh said.
“So that's why I called David Probyn in there, and he told me the way to get in there without touching anything.
“I was just trying to chip it out from there and it came out perfect, missed the hole and went to about 40 feet away.
"I was happy with that. I said okay I know I can make a six, but when I rolled that putt, I know it looked pretty good, like it was going in, and it did. And that's the story of the day really - I made a lot of great up and downs today."