Quadruple bogey derails Moynihan in Mauritius

MOUNT JULIET’S Gavin Moynihan was left to rue a quadruple-bogey seven as Darren Clarke was treated to a scoring clinic by India’s Arjun Atwal at the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open.

Playing in his first official start as a European Tour card holder, Moynihan (23) was cruising at one-under par with just six holes to go when the took seven at the Heritage Golf Club’s 195-yard 13th.

He recovered with birdies at the short 15th and par-five 18th, but a one-over-par 72 leaves tied for 83rd and battling to make the cut at the idyllic Indian Ocean venue.

Clarke (49) made a triple-bogey seven at the sixth before dropping two shots in his last three for a 76 that leaves him tied for 138th on five-over. But playing partner Atwal, who captains the Asian Tour in January’s EurAsia Cup, could do no wrong, signing for a course record, nine-under-par 62 despite not having a practice round.

BLISTERING

“I was in Kuala Lumpur the last two days to announce the players in Team Asia for the EurAsia Cup and I had some media activities to do,” Atwal said after a blistering, bogey-free effort that featured an eagle and seven birdies.

“I had no practice round and straight on the first tee. I’m pleased and shocked. I was tired and I didn’t really expect anything. Sometimes when you don’t expect much, you get a lot out of it.”

Germany’s Sebastian Heisele, Brazil’s Adilson da Silva, South African pair Louis de Jager and Ockie Strydom and Miguel Tabuena of the Philippines carded five-under 66s to share second.

Meanwhile, Michael Hoey had a triple-bogey seven at his ninth hole in a three-over 75 in the Australian PGA Championship in Queensland to lie 124th as leaders Jordan Zunic and Adam Bland shot 66s to lead by one from a five-man pack that included, Sergio Garcia.

AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open Live, Sky Sports Golf, 6.30am