Anton Haig walked onto the 18th tee at Killarney Golf and Fishing Club looking for his third consecutive birdie and to finish the day at the top of the leaderboard in the 3 Irish Open.

However, what followed was Haig’s only bad shot of the day when his shot into the green found the water hazard just short of the green on the left, condemning him to a double bogey. Nevertheless, Haig walked off the green still smiling and signed his card for a five-under par 67, which left him only two shots behind eventual leader David Howell.

“I played lovely today,” said a satisfied Haig, “one bad shot on the last which cost me, but all-in-all I had fun out there today”

After his maiden win on the European Tour coming back in 2007 at the Johnnie Walker Classic, Haig has endured a major dip in form and he only made the cut 26 times out of his 93 starts since that win.

He does however feel that this is now behind him and he is enjoying the game once more which led to him only smiling during his post round interview when asked whether he should be so happy after taking a double-bogey on the last.

“It’s taken a while to get some confidence back, as this game can take you to the highest highs and lowest lows, and it’s done that with both of me.” he said, “It’s just nice to get out there and be in contention again.”

George Coetzee was the next best South African in the field at one-under par with Thomas Aiken and Hennie Otto a further shot back. James Kamte was less fortunate on his round finishing with a bogey on the last to leave him at one-over par and in danger of missing the cut.