Fine 30th place for Greene in European Mid-Am
John Greene on the first at Puerta de Hierro
Portmarnock's John Greene finished a fine 30th in the European Mid-Amateur Championship at a scorching Real Club de Puerta de Hierro in Madrid.
The Carlow native was the only member of the Irish expedition to make the 36-hole cut and acquitted himself well in the final round, carding a three-over 75 — a score beaten by only seven players on the day — to move up 21 places on the leaderboard and finish on 17-over par.
Scores
With the temperature gauge reading 36c (98F), Greene made a marvellous start with the encouragement of fellow travellers Niall Gorey and David O'Donovan from Muskerry.
After a solid five-iron to 25 feet set up a par at the 221-yard first, the former South of Ireland winner birdied the second and fifth to shoot up the leaderboard.
He bogeyed the seventh but hit back with a birdie four at the eighth to turn in 34 — a score only bettered by eventual champion Carlos de Corral.
Ripping start by @leinsterlions to round 3 of the European Mid-Am at Puerta de Hierro - 5 iron, 221 yards to 25 ft. Par-birdie-par start. pic.twitter.com/JFhJoObmb7
— Brian Keogh (@IrishGolfDesk) June 10, 2017
Words is that @leinsterlions had 5 three-putts in a row on back 9, two of them on par fives. #madgreensTed (He made the one back here). pic.twitter.com/PwwMmxfvC8
— Brian Keogh (@IrishGolfDesk) June 10, 2017
But with the midday sun beating down on the famously undulating and lightning fast Tom Simpson and Harry Colt designed greens on the Upper Course, Greene suffered on the back nine.
He would three-putt five times in a row from the 11th to the 15th, dropping three strokes.
A double bogey six at the 16th denied him a top 25 finish, but it was a still a fine effort on one of Spain's toughest courses.
Tough back 9 on the very undulating greens for @leinsterlions but a 75 sets up potential top 30 in European Mid-Am at Puerta de Hierro. pic.twitter.com/lcD6ctoDLR
— Brian Keogh (@IrishGolfDesk) June 10, 2017
As for the champion, de Corral he began the final round three strokes behind home player Bernardo Campos on five over par but covered the first ten holes in a stunning four under en route to a best of the week 70.
His total of three-over-par 219 gave him a three-stroke win over Sweden's Erik Persson (74) and Australia's Richard Heath (74)
Carlos de Corral celebrates his win
Fine spread for @leinsterlions, reduced to the last polo shirt at bottom of the case. Currently T32 and rising https://t.co/HgdK81fwFv pic.twitter.com/86Mmbc0IGZ
— Brian Keogh (@IrishGolfDesk) June 10, 2017
