Michael Hoey trumps compatriots in Fife

Third-day 66 puts Northern Irishman three clear of field

NOT for the first time these last couple of years, Northern Ireland is punching above its weight. After three rounds of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, Rory McIlroy is in his usual berth among the challengers, while Graeme McDowell is also in the mix after a welcome return to form, but an altogether less likely suspect finds himself leading the chase for the first prize of over half a million pounds.

Michael Hoey, a 32-year-old from Ballymoney, is three shots clear of the field after carding a 66 at Carnoustie. On a cold, damp day that contrasted starkly with the two before it, Hoey took his aggregate total to 18 under par, a record for 54 holes in this event. George Murray, the highest-placed Scot, is on 13 under after a 67 at Kingsbarns, with his compatriot, Marc Warren, a stroke further back, but the lads from across the water will take a bit of beating.

McDowell, the 2010 US Open champion, is alone in second place after a 67 at St Andrews. McIlroy, the 2011 US Open champion, is one of seven players sharing fourth place thanks to his 66 on a day of low scoring at the Old Course. Only Darren Clarke, the 2011 Open champion, let the side down, although his 70 was respectable enough.

McIlroy, who has been asked about it plenty this year, has yet to provide an explanation for this peculiar Northern Ireland purple patch. “I don’t know if it is coincidence or if we are feeding off one another, but I don’t think it is going to last forever,” he admitted. “I hope it does, but it is just a period when we are all playing well at the same time.”

Hoey is this week’s surprise package. The 2001 Amateur champion, ranked 271 in the world, has never really fulfilled his potential, despite a couple of wins on the European Tour, including this year’s Madeira Islands Open. McIlroy, ten years his junior, looked up to him when the two were both members of Shandon Golf Club in east Belfast. “He is a supremely talented player, always has been. For him, it is more a mental thing.”

McDowell concurred. He and Hoey, the same age as each other, played together as teenagers at Portrush. “He was always a talented golfer, great striker of the ball, great golf swing. He comes from a very talented golfing family. He’s always had that talent, just never really kicked on. It is a fine line between guys who become the best in the world and guys who are journeymen pros. But you wouldn’t even describe Michael as a journeyman because he pops up every now and again and wins. And wins well. When he applies himself, and puts it all together, he’s as good as anyone out there.”

McIlroy is coming off a short break from the game, a spell in which his only practice was with a cut-down wedge given to him by his coach. The idea is that, even in his hotel room, there is no excuse for not honing his technique. “I’ve sort of been carrying it about with me, but it’s not like I go to the toilet and bring it with me,” he said.

For those who have been bold enough to bask in the sunshine of Scotland’s east coast these past few days, yesterday was payback time, a resumption of normal business at the three venues in Fife and Angus that combine to host this event. Kingsbarns had so much fog that play was delayed for an hour. At St Andrews, which was back to its Auld Grey self, Simon Dyson was so cold that he couldn’t feel his hands on the 18th green. Or, at least, that was the Englishman’s explanation for a missed putt from 15 feet that would have matched the course record.

As it was, he had to settle for a 63, the latest chapter of an exciting year for the man now ranked 30 in the world. He attributes his success to a new, healthy regime in which he has abstained from alcohol, even after victories in the Irish Open and the KLM Open. “I’m going to be a dad in March so that was a big part of it,” he explained. “I said to my wife, listen, you’re not going to be drinking so I’ll have to go with you. It won’t last, I know it won’t.”

Luke Donald also carded a 63 over the same course, while Colin Montgomerie threatened to go low, only for a bogey-par finish to produce a 64, 10 under for the tournament.