The Irish Open

First topic message reminder :

Don't have time to write anything like a Kwini-esque preview, but I thought there may be some discussion to be had over the next few days

C'mon GMac!

Goodness me.
He is a young man who has achieved great status in golf very quickly.
Please give him a break before you lot turn him into tiger2.

Anyone ever had a 21 year old offspring?
Anyone ever critisised same offspring?
What was the result?

Had a great day in Killarney yesterday.
Darren looked absolutely exhausted on the back 9 and, while he wont want to have missed the cut, a weekend of rest will hopefully see him ready to challenge in the US for the next 2 weeks.

Harrington looks at war with himself. More water and even at the 18th when he had clearly missed the cut, he laboured extra long over a 2 foot putt before eventually knocking it in.....odd, and the body language between himself and caddie not good......................

Rory missed a lot of putts and McDowell played really well..................the organisers will be hoping for one of then to challenge.........................

The atmosphere was terrific and the crowds were massive again. Pity we don't have a better date as that is what is keeping the likes of Westwood, Casey, Poulter etc away.................the tournament could also do with a sponsor, but that's another story......................

Some good pairings for McIlroy and Mcdowell today, Howell and Wattel respectively; then McGrane and Cutler, Dyson and Fisher later.

The golf course and crowds looked great on TV, but the lack of support from the top non-Irish players is pathetic. O'Grady really needs to reconsider exactly what sort of calendar structure is best for the European part of the Tour and make sure the players support it.

DC, obviously, and Harrington have both enjoyed success at Firestone, let's hope the cobwebs are gone by Thursday . . . .

Double bogeys for McI and McD; not what the sponsors had in mind . . . . .

I once quizzed "leewestwood" on 606 about coming to Killarney and he responded that the date was the issue..............................

McIlroy is now out of contention completely......................

Kwini,
Speaking about Harri at Firestone........how is he exempt??

John,
The last Ryder Cup team players are exempt, so Fisher gets in as well.

Golf Channel already playing up the Rory / Townsend fracas, apparently intent on ensuring Rory gets grilled about it over here the next fortnight. Chamblee's comments last night almost inciteful. (Is that a word?) Rory won't be helping himself if he continues to stink up the place this weekend.

Harri has Monty to thank so........................An insult to all South Africans, Australians etc that playing in a Ryder Cup exempts you for certain events.........
Who is Chamblee and what did he say?

John,
Not really, the Pres Cup guys get in next year! Of course, that gives two bites of the cherry to the Americans, one for the rest of the world but, hey, isn't America really the world? O'Grady and his international tour cohorts asleep at the switch as usual as Finchem continues to fleece non-Americans with these WGC's.

Brandel Chamblee is a PGA Tour "veteran" who is a Golf Channel host and he started rattling on about Rory doing Tiger a favour as the Press will be focussing on his dust-up instead of Tiger's return; Tiger was so well managed that this sort of (Rory) brouhaha never happened to him etc, etc.

Hopefully Rory will stand by the "I'm always going to stick up for my caddy" argument; it would be a surprise anyway if Rors played especially well at Firestone, doesn't seem to be his type of course at all. But he needs to be focussed the following week in Hotlanta.

It's hardly even a proper "spat"....and Tiger was "well managed"...yeah!! That's hilarious..............

John,
Haven't been able to follow it that well but I liked Rory's assertion that Townsend has been having a go at JP since Switzerland in 2008, so there might be more to this than meets the eye. I've said before that some (only some) American media, and ex players with a microphone, clearly have an anti-Europe agenda . . . . . . Wouldn't have expected Townsend to be one, but you never know.
Rory not doing himself any favours so far today.

Who is this masked marauder... David Howell? Seems like that name has appeared before. And Simon Dyson returning to form on the shoulders of such results this year: a 9th, a 7th, 2 5th's and a 3rd though he suffered a 2 tourney spell a number of weeks ago. 28 within 5 shots of the lead still bodes well for a horserace tomorrow.

Has anyone mentioned the ladies event? Heard it was a major but that's not saying much these days in their world of golf.

No one on this side of the pond realizes there's a spat involving Rory. If anything, they may have heard that he tweeted something but unless he was involved with a mess on the level of a felony, he has too much competition in the political and entertainment world to even register.

Great to see Howell up there; who'd've thunk his career would have slipped off the cliff that it has done?

venice,
The Golf Channel certainly made a meal of twittergate yesterday. You know the real golf guys will grill Rory and come up with the usual rhetoric during the countdowns to Firestone and Atlanta.
Dormant bats in the Bronx last night . . . .

Three pals together at the top

Howler
Simon Dyson
Stephen gallacher

Quote of the day from our friend Jay Townsend about a deer on the course.
"It looks like a female red stag".

This is the guy who had a go at Rory.

A decent amateur but a failed golf pro~ what does he know about wildlife.

Doon the Water wrote:This is the guy who had a go at Rory.

A decent amateur but a failed golf pro~ what does he know about wildlife.

Not much judging from that quote

Hi kwini,
Guess I try to tune out The Golf Channel as much as possible lately unless they're broadcasting a tourney. It gets very weary watching any televised "journalism" in this country. It might as well be a big bowl of gruel.

Certainly the media are going to try to beat every single speck of dirt out of Rory's laundry hanging out to dry. I don't mind him reacting and carrying on like the young man he is. Seems like he has the will and the energy to stand on his own two feet and exchange some punches. A lot healthier and independent attitude than most of the young American cookie-cut golfers hitting the tour.

How 'bout another good round from the hottest Italian on ET... Lorenzo Gagli. Looks like it's finally going to be a yearly sustained effort in golf by the pasta and vino folks. Not bad for a country that only had Constantino Rocca just a few years ago for its entire badge of honor.

John Parry following his "hit and miss" form for this year. Overall, not a bad "sophomore jinx" year. Anyone think he'll get a victory per year on the tour?

Now I've recently seen Siem in full flow with the 'F bombs'... he's doing pretty well here not to turn the air blue!

venice,
Your mano Gagli had a late snowman to cool down his pasta and vino.

Siem was lucky to escape with a six, one of the most boneheaded sequences you could imagine. I was expecting Townsend to unload on his caddie, but not a word. (Interesting given the extent to which McIlroy is featured in the Golf Channel's Irish Open foreplay that they chose not to give him any airtime today, avoided him even though he was partnering Howell - sign of things to come?)

Yep kwini,
The old jinx factor on poor Lorenzo. In Italian, snowman is supposedly called pupazzo di neve. Never heard that expression. The only legitimate interpretation for the word snowman in the universe and especially pertaining to golf is... snowman. Lorenzo probably thought, ("Porco dio! Ho fatto uno snowman! Adesso ucciderò il mio caddie!") He did however buy himself a final tee time with Rory at 10:07 tomorrow. Will definitely have a chance to capitalize on a larger gallery and perhaps added media attention.

Good to see Ross Fisher coming around.

Lorenzo Soil. Perhaps his caddie said something like Grazie Dio that Townsend didn't see that lot?

Ross Fisher looked to me like he enjoys the slower European Tour greens, much better stroke than the herky jerky jobs he twitches over here.

Looking forward to the coverage Sunday, lots of contenders with careers needing resuscitation.

Finally I'm back online... Before I write a few impresions from Killarney, just want to do a test to see if I can upload pictures here.

So there's the test pic...

Spoiler:

Trivia question: Guess who's ball is it???

Jay Townsend's.

kwinigolfer wrote:Jay Townsend's.

Good guess kwini. But no...
I believe JT's balls look a bit flatened right now as they've been tightly squeezed by Rory

Back to my 'serious' trivia question... there's a clue is in the picture!

It is a cleveland player so I will go with the Howler?

McLaren wrote:It is a cleveland player so I will go with the Howler?

You're on the right path mac, but Howler played very well and didn't hit balls
in that sort of spots, at least when I was there...

Clue no.2:
Coincidentally, in this case those letters could stand for something else apart from 'Cleveland Golf'...

Had a great day on Friday at the Irish Open. A perfect day really for playing and watching golf, overcast but very pleasent overall with practically no wind at all... It's been the first time I brought the family with me and it worked out very well, and that was thanks to a good extent to the very well organised kids area in the 'village'. After getting a bit dissapointed that nobody was getting any holes-in-one and after the compulsory picture taken with Rory passing by in the background, my daughter happily withdrew to the play area where she had a brilliant time until about 5pm and even asked us to come back again the next day...
In general, I thought the tournament was very well organised and the atmosphere was again fantastic, despite the below par performance from many of the Irish star players. I've been amazed last year at the numbers attending the event, but without a doubt this year was even better (at least based on what I've seen on Friday). Probably the only slight problem I've experienced was the rather long time it took this year to get to the course from the centre of Killarney, which was obviously due to the large number of cars and busses on those narrow access roads...

We arrived on the course a bit late, litterally when DC's group got on the 16th green and Padraig was playing his tee shot behind him at the same hole. Despite being treated immediately with a nice birdie there, you could see that there was nothing more than a 'forced' (and probably slightly embarrassed) smile on Padraig's face when he was responding to the crowds cheers, knowing well at that point that he'll be heading home that evening... Some rather desperate and painful thoughts were probably already going through his head in those moments, and I've seen this morning that later on he took the decision to part time with Bob Torrence. Only time will tell if that was the right decision...

As John said, Rory and specially GMac played very well on Friday. I followed them for a while and it was pretty rewarding in terms of golf quality: Rory played with Fisher and Horsey and all three scored 68's, while GMac (66) played with Green (68) and Dyson (65). It was interesting to see McDowell almost constantly ending up with the longest drive in his group as he's never been known as a long hitter. Richard Green may not be the most entertaining characters on the golf course, but he's been playing really solidly (apart from a horrible little chip he hit right in front of me from outside the 11th green).

I don't know how you feel, but I always need a bit of a visual adjustment when I go to watch these falks live, being used to see them most of the time on TV. To me the not-so-tall guys always look shorter when I see them in flesh, while the taller ones look much taller than I expect!? Watching Rory walking alongside Ross Fisher was really making Rors looking like a child following his daddy...

Spoiler:

And they always seem to look thinner in reality than I expect as well (and that was true for DC &Shane as well).
Apart from those I followed also for a little while Rock's and Howell's groups. Quite impressed with Howell's play, but Robert wasn't excelling, missing some relatively short putts out there. Certainly he'll miss out again on making the top 100 and a late ticket to the USPGA. Missed out on seeing Gagli as he started very early on Friday.

There have been a lot of rumours these days in Killarney about a new sponsorship deal getting very close to being sealed for the future years and I've heard also some of the players making very positive comments about that prospect as well. The name of Zurich Ins. has been mentioned many times but officially there was no announcement yet. I understand that other potential sponsors are interested and some people are going as far as getting excited about many more big name players being lured into the Irish even in the future. All positive vibes but that's all they are until we'll see what will happen. As it's been said already, without a change of date such 'big plans' may still prove hard to bring to reality. But once again, I think the way this year's event has been organised and presented so far and the amazing crowds attending certainly should help its cause in the future years.

Better stop here for now, I may post some more pictures later...

P.S. John, if you spot yourself in any of the pictures let me know

PD,
Looking forward to seeing the photos and i will let you know if my mug is in any of them!! The French Open date is the one we really need but will never get..........................
I would love to see Howell win it....................

Great post PD, when I see golf live I am always surprised how controlled the swing look in the flesh. Almost unspectacular but just so calm and controlled. Certainly not the lash it the ball handicap golfer take.

Indeed John, no chance of getting anything back from the French... they took our Open date, they took our World Cup final spot and now they're after our corporation tax

Thanks Mac, it's true about the swing.... and then there is also not only the ridiculously long and straight drives (most of the time anyway), but it's that little bullet-like sound they produce when they hit their drivers...

Good start from Green, but Howell slipped back a little. And another excellent round by Gagli. Rather strange to see after all the hype about the NI star golfers that the best places NI player here is the young amateur Paul Cutler. That eagle-2 at the 1st hole on Thursday really gave him wings... Expect Fisher to put pressure on the lead today, he really seems to likes that course...

Great stuff princed, especially brave going en famille.

Must admit, I find the guys just below the top level more rewarding to follow than the crowd favourites; much more likely to be able to watch everything unimpeded and golf is often at least as good. Am sure taking my son to two or three events every year has greatly enhanced his interest in, and appreciation of, the game. Still hoping to go to the Deutsche Bank, probably the first day.

PS: Can't believe you were permitted to take photos . . . . . . .

PPS: Zurich have done a fantastic job here of reviving two rather moribund tournaments, San Diego and New Orleans, and were rewarded this year with the Bubba Dubble!

PPPS: Saw your comment on Rory's ranking; on a more mundane level, sorry to see Rafa Jacquelin dropping away today from a good position.

Hi pd,
Second the post and Mac's comment about the swing when viewing it in person. How would you rate the close and easy accessibility to the fairways and greens for the galleries? Were any of the golfers engaging with the folks in between shots or were they all business?

Looks like Green and Dyson are going to the finish. Didn't realize Green has 3 tour victories to Dyson's 4. Gagli has to be shaking his head over the 5 shot beating he took for the last 2 holes yesterday but should feel good about outplaying Rory today though the latter was probably playing it out after his bogey on Hole 8.

Thanks kwini. There were no interdictions on cameras last year or this year and I have to say that I didn't come across any significant 'offenses' from that side of things on the golf course. Totally agree with you on watching the less famous players, I often prefer to do that as well. And talking about pictures and GMac's driving, there's how much he improved (or not) from last year. First one is from last year when he played with Matteo at the 11th (ended actually on the path but got a free drop where you see it there) and the other one is from this year playing with Green, when the ball just crossed over the path...

Spoiler:

Spoiler:

venice, I actually think it's a great golf course for seeing/following the players. Obviously some holes are better than others, but overall it's been one of the best I've been to from that point of view.

If you wonder what's happening with Fisher dropping a bit from the view, spare a thought for him as I've heard earlier on the Irish TV the rather disturbing news that his son has been taken yesterday to the Tralee hospital with suspected meningitis...

I almost forgot, I better give you the final clue on that trivia question. There it is...

Spoiler:

I remember recently some people were wondering where ha has vanished lately. Well, he's been spotted, lonely (and rather crossed), under a tree in Killarney...

Good stuff coming in with Dyson pushing for a birdie at 16 and Green responding with a great approach shot on the same hole. Either man winning would be would be a deserved victory.

pd,
Is the answer to your trivia question a leprechaun?

Still no idea on the trivia question unless CG means it's Christo Grayling, but it's just occourred to me that Stephen Gallacher has probably just earned his way a trip to Atlanta. Let's hope so as the owgr top 100 is not necessarily a done deal, just an objective.

Really tough the way Green lost it, but happy for Dyson nevertheless. He's just about hanging onto the 50th spot (provisionally) with this win before the Greenbrier results are added in. Gallacher jumps to 89th (also provisionally). Unlucky for Jamie Donaldson as he is now #101...

venice, it's not a leprechaun, they've been busy searching at the end of the rainbow for the big sponsor with a pot of gold for next year...

kwini, that rather distinctive 'raised collar' look doesn't remind you of anyone? Where's Ned, I think you've been discussing with him a while ago about this guy's whereabouts...

pd,
I get it now, lousy first round, promising second.
Wouldn't otherwise have guessed him in a month of Sundays.
(Unlike Lou Graham in mercurio's teaser - I sw him play about then and completely spaced on him!)

Sad news for Ross Fisher to have to deal with, but that's something that is frequently misdiagnosed; hopefully it's just precautionary. Wonder if he'd travel this week in those circumstances?

As for the top 100, a big day also for Brian Davis; currently #99 and the only way (other than a top three finish) he'd get to Hotlanta is to at least hold his position - probably needs a top 8 to be sure?

Gonzo 'lost' that ball in there after a poor drive at the 2nd. Spotted him as he sat there under the tree looking at the ball for a couple of minutes. I got closer and as he went away to chat with his caddy I took the shot as I was passing by. Now as you can see that's not a great lie, but I've seen much, much worse than that. After spending overall about 4-5 minutes preparing for it, all he managed was hack it through the rough for about 30-40 yards, and just about got it on the fairway. I actually felt I could do a better hacking job out of there than he did. A stream of Spanish swearing (don't speak Spanish, but it wasn't hard to guess) quickly emerged from his mouth as he moved away very quickly. However, fairplay to him for saving the par in the end with a very good up and down from almost 100 yards out...

Indeed, hope that Ross will get the good news regarding his son situation...

So it's been confirmed they broke the attendance record in Killarney with 85,179 compared to 81,378 last year. I really believe that figure would have been much higher if some of the Irish star players would have been up there contending on Saturday and Sunday...

Simon Dyson certainly won a few extra Irish friends with this statement:
“They were unbelievable to play in front of, they really were. They are so gracious. They clap every shot. They clap you on the tee and into the green and every birdie you make. It was just a pleasure to play in front of them.”

Great tournament!