Irish win Oceânico Par 3 Challenge in Portugal

Ireland beat a Rest of the World team at Oceânico's Amendoeira academy course as stars such as Lee Westwood, Padraig Harrington and Darren Clarke enjoyed a unique format under the lights in the inaugural Oceânico Par 3 Challenge.

A pristine nine-hole par three course under state-of-the-art floodlighting played host to 12 of the European Tour's finest golfers ahead of the Portugal Masters to celebrate the opening of Oceânico's new Amendoeira Sports Club.

Oceânico Touring Professional Clarke captained a strong six-man Irish team that included triple Major winner Harrington and Ryder Cup hero Paul McGinley in the modified stableford team format, which included a four-feet scoring zone circle around each hole. "You can't keep the Irish down," said Clarke after the victory.

Westwood's Rest of the World team, including former US Open champion Michael Campbell and last week's European Tour winner Ross McGowan, struggled to keep pace with the rampant Irish.

Victory was all but sealed when on the 8th McGinley holed his wedge which triggered even more bonus points and was met with a roar from the crowd. With all six team players scores the final result was Ireland 145 Rest of the World 125.

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