Brett Rumford continues to make steady progress in his return from stomach surgery last year, a consistent performance at this week’s Irish Open moving him inside the top-80 on the Race to Dubai standings.

Rumford was the best of the six Australians who teed up at the K Club in county Kildare, a T36 finish good for almost €27,000 in earnings and a good step towards ensuring his playing privileges in 2017.

Rumford is playing this season on a major medical extension after undergoing surgery to remove a section of his small intestine last year and while he is fully recovered physically his competitive game is also rounding into shape.

Richard Green was the only other Australian to make the cut in a field strengthened by the presence of tournament host and four-time major winner, Rory McIlroy.

The left handed veteran has had a difficult time of things in 2016 and while a T48 finish was no doubt less than he would consider acceptable after a run of four consecutive missed cuts it was a welcome result.

Particularly encouraging was his fight back from an opening round 75 with a 2-under 70 to make the weekend, though wet and cold conditions at the long K Club course were always going to make it difficult for a shorter hitter like Green.

Among those who will be disappointed with their week’s work will be Marcus Fraser and Nathan Holman.

Both European Tour winners this season their scoring in County Kildare simply wasn’t good enough; Fraser opening with 73 and 76 to miss the cut by one while Holman couldn’t overcome an opening round 79.

Scott Hend and Andrew Dodt also missed the cut, Hend on a course that, on paper, looked ideally suited to his game.

However, after being in contention each of his last three starts and pursuing a rigorous travel schedule fatigue perhaps played a role in this week’s result.