England’s Robert Rock has shot a remarkable round of 60 to move to -13 under par and lead the Irish Open.
Rock accumulated 11 birdies, including six straight from holes 13 through to 18, to take a commanding lead on the Saturday in Lahinch, co. Clare.
The 42-year-old shot 67 in the opening round on Thursday and then 70 on Friday before busting out an Irish Open record round of 60 to take a four shot lead (at the time of writing) over Spain’s Rafa Cabrera-Bello.
Inches from a 59, but Robert Rock will finish with SIX straight birdies and a round of 60 to lead the #ddfirishopen on -13 #RTEgolf https://t.co/9MxQvvQZoR pic.twitter.com/uDXrKakZfB
— RTEgolf (@RTEgolf) July 6, 2019
Rock is on a roll!
The Englishman drains his FIFTH birdie on the spin to move to -12 and take a three-shot lead #ddfirishopen #rtegolf https://t.co/9MxQvvQZoR pic.twitter.com/5AWH5bDwGZ— RTEgolf (@RTEgolf) July 6, 2019
The Armitage native was inches away from securing just the second 59 round in European Tour history when he dragged his put wide of the cup on the 18th but he said that he was happy to have the round of his career after a tough year on tour.
“Yeah delighted,” Rock told Sky Sports.
“It was a fun day. I made quite a few birdies early on and it helped to see that they were possible and then I was putting quite well. Then the finish was a bit much. Really long putt on 17 and when I was walking to the second shot on 18 I had a little look at what the par was because I kind of forgot and then realised there was an eagle for 59 and the opportunities to do that don’t come along really at all.
Robert Rock shares his post-round thoughts 💬#DDFIrishOpen #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/DJY0DyzyPs
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) July 6, 2019
“First chance I’ve ever had to do it. It’s disappointing not to do it but at the same time 60 is a great score. It’s my best score. I’ve been rubbish this year so just delighted to play better.”
Rock entered the week ranked No. 333 in the Official World Golf Ranking and hasn’t secured a top-10 finish in his past 21 starts.
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