Irish Open 2008

Gary Murphy was the leading Irishman for the second time since Portmarnock in 2003 thanks to a superb final round 69.

His share of third place was his best finish on the tour since he claimed fourth in the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond five years ago

But his cheque for €118,750 is not the biggest of career. That came in that 2003 event in Scotland, where he earned €159,869.

Pos. - Score to par - Money

T3rd (-7) Gary Murphy 74-70-68-69 €118,750
Brilliant performance moves Murphy up from 140th to 69th on the Order of Merit after his career best finish on the European Tour. Four birdies in his first six holes gave him a share of the lead with Finch but his finish wasn’t quite strong enough.

7th (-6) Rory McIlroy 70-72-70-70 €€75,000
First top ten of the season for the Holywood hotshot puts him back into the Ryder Cup frame with all the big money events to come. Two over par after a double bogey on the seventh, he played the last 10 holes in four under.

T16th (-2) Darren Clarke 72-69-72-73 €31,875
Blown out of contention by his triple bogey finish on Saturday. Rallied after five dropped five shots in his first five holes yesterday but visited the river at the 18th for a closing bogey.

T16th (-2) Paul McGinley 73-69-73-71 €31,875
Saturday’s 73 killed the Dubliner’s title chances but he battled back in typical fighting fashion. Felt his game wasn’t tidy enough to contend strongly but believes he’s close to having a big week

T22nd (-1) Peter Lawrie 71-75-72-69 €27,875
Holed a 161-yard eight iron for an eagle two at the fifth to earn a bottle of bubbly. After starting with three straight bogeys, the Dubliner was happy to finish the tournament under par.

T31st (+1) Padraig Harrington 72-71-70-76 €20,375
A bad week on the greens for the defending champion, who had five three-putts in four rounds and finished with his worst Irish Open score for five years. After a triple bogey six on the 16th, he repaired some of the the damage with birdies at the last two.