Old pro Des Smyth carved out a three under par 68 to keep his Murphy's Irish Open hopes alive at Fota Island.

But the 49-year-old fears that his dodgy iron play will catch up with him before the finish.

"I think it was Lee Trevino that said the dogs that chase cars and pros that putt for pars don't last too long," said Smyth. "I feel like that pro putting for pars but you can't depend on that area all the time.

Smyth played the first nine holes of his round in level par, birdied three of the first four after the turn and then scrambled his way home.

A struggling Padraig Harrington matched his 68 later in the day, but the Dubliner complained of a lack of inspiration especially on the greens.

"Maybe my game needs a little spark at the moment," he said. "It's only a question of one putt falling in on the first hole and you say 'I've got it today'.

"I'm not running up to the range to change anything. It's just a question of a couple of putts dropping and getting a little more confidence with a couple of shots."

Smyth's form has been improving all season, but he is still not convinced that he was blown away the cobwebs at Fota Island.

"I need to up my standard of play. I'm a bit concerned about missing too many greens and my iron play is not up to scratch. That said, if I get the opportunity to challenge for the title on Sunday I won't be pulling back from it."

A candidate for the Ryder Cup captaincy in 2006, Smyth had to use all his experience to fly flag as the leading Irishman.

"This is the big part of the season for me and I'm glad my game is coming around in time for the Open. All the tournaments are important but the Open is one of the Majors and I'm hoping to play well there or it will be a short Open.

"I'm driving the ball quite well but my iron play is not up to scratch. It's probably my second best score of the year. My short game has been good but you don't like to be relying on that part of your game.

"I worked hard to break 70 and after missing the last two rounds last year. I couldn't have shot any lower than 68 and I got the maximum out of my round.

"I'm happy to be in the position I'm in and seven under is pretty good. I'm happy and I would have taken it before I went out."

Starting on the back nine, Smyth three putted the 15th from the fringe to wipe out a birdie four at the par five 10th.

But he moved up a gear after the turn, chipping in from 15 yards at the first to go to five under.

He then he it a seven iron to 25 feet at the second and slotted the putt before pitching and putting for a birdie four at the 548-yard fourth.

Harrington was disappointed to shoot no better than three under on a day of little wind and easy pin positions.

He said: "Obviously the pin positions were easier and it doesn't seem like a better score than yesterday but I suppose it is.

"Six or seven shots behind the leader wouldn't be a hopeless position but it depends on how many guys are up there. It's more the number of people in front of me rather than the number of shots that I have to make up that worries me.

"Maybe a 65 was on today. Low scoring was on and looking at my own round I could have been a few better. You always feel you can do better on this course because the par fives are reachable but some of them are quite tricky as well."

Harrington played the back nine first but after making birdies at the 11th and 15th he made a major error by hitting his lay-up shot into the lake at the par five 18th to finish with a bogey.

"I missed chances but the worst was the 18th. I was between clubs and had 220 yards to the front with a little four-iron. I thought the wind would take it but I shouldn't have had the club to reach it in the first place."

Instead of turning three under, Harrington turned in one under and then missed four-footer for birdie at the sixth where his approach came close to going in for an eagle two.

Now he has a mountain to climb if he is to challenge for the title over the weekend.

"Normally double the first round lead plus two strokes wins the tournament so that would be 12 or possibly 14 under in the conditions," he declared.

"All I need is a spark and I'll have a chance but there are a lot to guys in front of me."

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© Brian Keogh 2002

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