Rock caught in a hard place at Irish Open after wrong score gaffe

ENGLAND'S Robert Rock, the player who lost a play-off to local amateur Shane Lowry last year, opened the Irish Open with a six under par 65 at Killarney yesterday - and then was disqualified for signing for a wrong score.

Rock, seventh in The Open two weeks ago, did not spot that his card had him down for a par on the 14th and birdie at the next instead of the other way around.

Hoping to win the 415,000 first prize for a second successive time - Lowry was unable to claim the money - the 33-year-old said: "It's my fault. I checked it, but didn't see it and it's my job to do that. I don't think I've been disqualified for anything before. I'd have preferred it to be after an 80!"

Rock was joint clubhouse leader when he finished, although minutes later compatriot David Howell took over at the top of the leaderboard with a seven under 64. Amazingly last year's first round leader, Francesco Molinari, was also then disqualified for signing for a wrong score. Rock had been only one under at the turn, but then birdied the tenth, 13th, 14th, 16th and 17th for an inward 31.

Scorecard blunders are an occupational hazard in golf. Argentina's Roberto de Vicenzo missed out on a play-off in the 1968 Masters when he signed for the wrong score on the 17th hole of his final round. And in the 2000 Benson and Hedges International Open at The Belfry Padraig Harrington was five clear with a round to play when it was discovered by chance he had forgotten to sign his first round scorecard. He, too, was disqualified.

Rock's fellow countryman David Lynn was the playing partner who got his scores wrong.