ROCK ON IRISH ROLL AFTER SWINGING 60

RECORD-bREakER Robert Rock would relish the chance to make the winning putt at the Irish Open – a decade on from blowing his last chance.

Rock (above) made 11 birdies in Lahinch yesterday to join the European Tour’s 60 club, breaking by a shot the Irish Open record that was held by Graeme McDowell and Ross Fisher.

Now a player-coach, the 42-year-old shaved the 18th hole with an eagle putt for a 59 but he holds a one-shot lead over fellow Englishman Eddie Peperrel and Spaniard Rafa Cabrera bello heading into the final round.

Roared on by a partisan home crowd, Shane Lowry beat Rock in a play-off in baltray back in 2009 before immediately turning professional.

Lowry lifted the Waterford Crystal trophy and, although he finished in second place, Rock picked up the winner’s cheque as his opponent still had amateur status.

but Lowry is out of contention for today’s final round in Lahinch and unless unlikely Irish contenders Cormac Sharvin and Robin Dawson make a charge, Rock would be a popular crowd favourite after getting the cold shoulder 10 years earlier.

Rock, who was also runner-up in 2013, joked: “Will they cheer me? Can you guarantee it?

“Shane did fantastic over that weekend.

“I played with him all weekend, he deserved to win, and he’s gone on to be a fine player.

“I’ve played well here. It’s just the quality of the tournament and the golf courses every time, it just makes you a bit more enthusiastic to play.

“I’ve got to play not quite like that but something like that to give myself a chance, and it would be nice to have a putt to win, we’ll have to see.

“I’ll take anything for a win, that would be great.

“and to have another chance, after having a putt to win this tournament and missed it, let’s see how I do.

“but it’s another day so I don’t know what my game will bring.”