McARTHUR GRITS HIS TEE AND CARDS
A 64 ON CHALLENGE TOUR IN IRELAND

By MICHAEL GIBBONS
Challenge Tour Press Officer

Glasgow's Andrew McArthur played through the pain barrier to card a brilliant eight under par 64 at the Challenge of Ireland presented by Glasson yesterday.
Despite a bout of suspected tendonitis in his left elbow, McArthur played superbly at the Glasson Golf Hotel and Country Club, timing his return to form perfectly as the Challenge Tour prepares to move to Peebles for next week’s Scottish Challenge presented by Bank of Scotland Corporate.
Starting on the 10th tee, the 28 year old Scot got off to a great start with a birdie 4 and soon followed that up with two superb iron shots – a four iron to 25 feet on the par 5 14th that he holed for eagle and then a beautiful five iron to two feet on the stunning par-3 15th that he duly rolled home for birdie.
After two great up and downs to save par on the 16th and 17th, McArthur got back on the birdie trail as he hit the front nine, picking up shots on the fourth, sixth and eighth holes to post the best score of the day.
“I was going to pull out of the tournament yesterday because of the injury,” said McArthur, who trails the Michael Lorenzo-Vera by a shot after the Frenchman’s fantastic front nine of 29 helped him to a nine under 63.
“I wasn’t very clever at all yesterday. I have been playing well for a while but I haven’t been hitting balls over the last few days because of the elbow. I noticed it on Saturday and the best way to get rid of these things is usually to rest.
“This is one of the best rounds of the year – I shot nine under in Switzerland where I went out in 28, but it was good today as well.”
McArthur is the leading Scot of eight in the Challenge of Ireland presented by Glasson field, with George Murray the next best placed on two under.