Liam O'Donovan - back in the big-time (with Tommy Hanley)
The mighty Liam O'Donovan gave us this engaging and self-deprecating interview in the wake of his comeback victory with Bruff clubmate Tommy Hanley in the Catalan International Pairs. O'Donovan rolled-in a putt from considerable distance across the first play-off hole to earn a brilliant victory for two players who had won previuosly with different partners.
Did that lengthy putt in the play-off feel even better given that he had been out of the limelight for a few years? "It was nice to get the putt as I hadn't helped Tommy in the last couple of holes in regular play and the other lads (Evan Carry and Gareth Walsh) looked like they were going to birdie."
The focus of attention internationally for many years dating all the way back to the first of his four European Team championship victories in 1999, the 2015 European Strokeplay winner and 2017 World Strokeplay champion hasn't featured on the victory rostrum for some time. He continues to play enthusiastically and is unconcerned about the slow down in success. "Being out of the limelight dosen't bother me the way I am playing!" O'Donovan is now back with a vengeance and joins Hanley and Catalan Oriol Mas as two-time winners of the Catalan International Pairs.
How did the partnership with Tommy come about? Liam normally play with Pacelli while Tommy partners Kieran Earls? "Kieran was not able to travel so Tommy decided I was best of what was left (ha-ha)!"
Liam had previously triumphed with Pacelli Darcy in the Catalan International Pairs of 2014. That was at the Lloret course, while he had also finished third at Sant Cebria in 2019. Which is the more difficult, Lloret or the current venue, Sant Cebria? "Lloret is the tougher course as there are lot more trees in play off the tee," is Liam's experienced assessment.
Was there a particular reason that they chose to play their opening 36 holes on Friday (in which they posted 93 to sit two strokes back heading into Sunday's final round)? "(It's) just something we tried when they introduced the Friday start. We find it more relaxing and play an 18 in Papalus (Lloret) on the Saturday."
We asked Liam to tell us about an exceptional 43 in Greensomes. "When you are playing with a good pitcher it's easier. Luckily I am still a good putter. I had the pleasure of it for two weeks I played with Kieran Earls the week before in the inter-club." Bruff won that National Inter-Cub title at Fermoy (a week before Sant Cebria), Earls and O'Donovan contributing a couple of statement Foursomes wins in the semi-final and final.
A lot of final round attention focused on holders Carry & Walsh playing with overnight leaders Bofill & Serral. Did that help Hanley and O'Donovan? "(It) never really bothers me about attention or leaders. You have to hit the best shots you can hit and the rest will work itself out."
