Donegal golf fans gutted as Tiger

fails to show for dawn tee time

FROM THE BELFAST TELEGRAPH WEBSITE
A great tiger hunt yesterday ended in disappointment — and a few tears — for golf fans.
Almost 60 people turned up at Murvagh Golf Club near Donegal town to see the world’s greatest golfer, Tiger Woods, tee off at dawn.
Several had travelled distances of up to 90km, arriving as early as 4.30am to catch a glimpse of their idol who, word had it, was due on the first tee at 5.30am with Tyrone’s Darren Clarke.
Members of a BBC crew that had covered the Munster Hurling Championship final in Thurles on Sunday were diverted to Donegal during their overnight journey home to Belfast.
The RTE cameras were there before the crack of dawn. Keen eyes scanned the skies over Donegal Bay on the lookout for the helicopter that was to bring Tiger and Darren from nearby five-star Solis Lough Eske Castle Hotel where the American was said to have checked in early on Sunday. It didn’t matter that the hotel wouldn’t confirm his presence or that nobody at Murvagh knew of VIP arrangements.
Dedicated fans were convinced of the accuracy of their information that Tiger was dropping in for a quiet practiCe round en route to The Open at Turnberry in Scotland.
But there was no Tiger, no Darren, no helicopter and, according to a spokesperson for the hotel, definitely no Mr Woods on the guest list.
One man drove from Londonderry to join the hunt. He was disappointed:
“I was told that without a shadow of doubt Tiger was playing here; that he wanted somewhere quiet to practise before going on to Turnberry.”
Another man brought along his three golf-mad children — aged seven, eight and 10 — from their holiday home in Sligo. One youngster blinked back tears when everybody finally accepted Tiger wasn’t coming.
Where was he?
Already in Turnberry, according to The Open’s official website.