Cutler cuts it with dramatic 64 in Singapore
Paul Cutler was delighted with his second round 64 in Singapore. Pictue by Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.iePortstewart’s Paul Cutler made his first cut in the pro ranks when he fired a sensational seven under 64 to qualify on the mark in the weather-reduced Barclays Singapore Open - but Padraig Harrington failed by seven shots after a baffling 77.
Twenty-first as an amateur in the Irish Open and top scorer in September’s Walker Cup victory over the US, Cutler missed the cut on his pro debut in the Austrian Open and also failed to earn a cent in last month’s Alfred Dunhill Links or Andalucia Masters.
But after opening 75 on the tough Serapong Course looked certain to end his interest in Singapore, the 22-year old blasted a seven under 64 on the Tanjong Course to qualify for what will be the final round on the three under par limit.
He went to the turn in five under 31 before Friday’s weather delay, which meant he was one of 69 players who had to return to the course at 7.30am today to complete their rounds.
His red-hot form continued as he birdied the 10th, 12th and 14th to get to eight under for the round and set up the possibility of the European Tour’s first 59.
Needing four successive birdies to achieve the first sub-60 score on the main European Tour, he bogeyed the 15th but then parred his way home.
Cutler had just parred the first hole of his third round (the 10th) when play was suspended for the day due to electrical activity and the event reduced to 54-holes.
Sentosa was washed out by heavy rain. Please click to enlarge.“We will bring the players back in the morning for a restart at 7.30am to continue the third round which will be the final round,” said Tournament Director Mike Stewart. “The event has been reduced to 54 holes. Weather permitting we will be able to conclude early tomorrow afternoon.”
At three under par, Cutler was tied for 49th with Graeme McDowell and 12 strokes adrift of leader Gonzalo Fernandez Castaño, who shot a 10 under 61 on the Tanjong to lead by three from Edoardo Molinari and James Morrison on 15 under.
Michael Hoey was six behind the Spaniard in a share of fifth on nine under with Shane Lowry tied 24th on five under and Peter Lawrie a shot further back after completing a second round 70.
The rest of the Irish missed the cut - Paul McGinley, Damien McGrane and Gareth Maybin - with Harrington by far the biggest name to miss out.
Padraig Harrington still has two more chances to make the 100,000 plus points he needs to qualify for the Dubai World Championship.The Dubliner is struggling to qualify for the Dubai World Championship but will now slip even further behind the top 60 after failing to make a birdie in a second round 77.
After taking 34 putts in an opening 69 on the Tanjong Course, Harrington had 36 putts in the second round for one of the poorest putting displays he has produced in recent years.
Resuming at one over par with five holes to play today, the 40 year old double bogeyed the 16th and bogeyed the 17th to miss the cut by seven shots and finish a long way behind playing partners YE Yang and Phil Mickelson.
Yang is tied for eighth after rounds of 63 and 71 while Mickelson added a 67 to his opening 71, despite visiting water and taking a double bogey seven at the 18th.