GMAC Wants Open Back at Portrush

Graeme McDowell wants the Open to return to his home town of Portrush after a gap of 60 years.

The man Rory McIlroy succeeded as US Open champion was speaking after receiving an honorary degree from the University of Ulster on Tuesday.

"Rory and I would be behind a NI event with the potential of then getting the Open back to Portrush," he said.

"To play the Open in Portrush is a wild dream, to play a European Tour event in Portrush is an achievable dream."

He added: "I will do everything I can to make it happen."

The remarkable back-to-back US Open victories by Northern Ireland golfers have prompted renewed calls for the Open to return - it was last played at Royal Portrush in 1951.

Concerns have been previously been raised about the area's infrastructure and whether it cope with hosting such a large event.

As he rose to address fellow graduates at the university's campus in Coleraine - only a few miles from Portrush - McDowell admitted he was more nervous than he was during the closing stages of the 2010 US Open, or in the crucial final singles match at last year's Ryder Cup.

I've been fortunate in my career, I've had a lot of good breaks, made a lot of good decisions and holed a couple of good putts at the right time.Graeme McDowell

"Take me outside of my comfort zone, off the golf course, I've hit a couple of pretty important shots in my career last year but nothing really close to how I feel right now," he said.

McDowell urged to the young audience to set high goals in life, but ensure they had some fun along the way.

"I've been very lucky," said the 31-year-old, who turned pro before he could complete a degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Alabama.

"I've been fortunate in my career, I've had a lot of good breaks, made a lot of good decisions and holed a couple of good putts at the right time, so it's been an amazing experience."

Reflecting on Northern Ireland's US Open successes, McDowell said there was something a "little bit special" about his homeland.

"To have back-to-back US Open champions to come from a small country of Northern Ireland - 1.6 million people, whatever we have - I think the odds of that are pretty astronomical," he said.

"It really says something about the type of people we build here in Northern Ireland."

Chubby Can You Give a Little Bit?

In July 2008 Padraig Harrington retained his hold on The Open Championship title with his victory at Royal Birkdale and moved to Number 3 in the world behind Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. This week that feat was matched by Holywood’s Rory McIlroy after he took possession of the trophy at Congressional in the US Open, repeating the ground breaking work done by Graeme McDowell in 2010 at Pebble Beach in the same tournament. 

After the well deserved high praise and tumultuous accolades it was only normal that the euphoric fog would lift this week leaving some the realities of golf in Ireland come into the fore. Particularly The Irish Open which is fast approaching and unable to find a world class commercial sponsor so far. In what is still a flagship sporting event in Ireland, with international exposure and an ideal summer date, the historic event is still unable to attract the type of commercial partnership that seems to come easier to other sports on the island. 

Given the continued world class achievements of the country’s golfers and the exposure that Ireland consequently gains on the global stage, it seems nothing short of bizarre that the event is as hindered as the Greek economy is in its efforts to find financial backing. No matter one's social or sporting prejudices, it is still trophy event and appeals to an audience outside the 32 counties. Undoubtedly the Irish Open is challenged given the premature departure of mobile operator “3”, who left golf in favour of a four year sponsorship deal with the Football Association of Ireland, worth a reported €7.5m. 

Although the decision was not a complete surprise it is reminiscent of another mobile operator, O2, and the timing of their decision to end the agreement with Padraig Harrington the very season he won his first Open Championship. However the similarity is not just they were both phone company's, but the commercial sense of a lost opportunity, as with the arrival of the 22 year old whirlwind that is McIlroy - with an exciting game, positive attitude talented interviewee and an appeal to young players - never has the event been so ripe for a youth focused brand to exploit their association. Alas, this year it appears it is not to be. 

These days the mobile companies are focused in other areas with Vodafone supporting Dublin GAA, O2 committed to Irish international rugby, 3 Mobile now with Irish soccer and Meteor sticking to entertainment and the annual Music Awards. With the traditional sponsors of the past twenty years, the financial service sector, all now in a collapsed state the sport has yet discover new long term commercial partners in Ireland. The opposite to other golf worldwide tours - PGA , Champions and Asian – which all attracting major new deals with ease. 

Cadillac, which relinquished The Masters in 2007 after 40 years of sponsorship, returned to prominence in the sport as a major sponsor of the PGA Tour at El Doral in a World Golf Championship [WGC] event. 

It was GM's Buick brand that sponsored up to four PGA Tournaments annually through the late 1990s, and stopped doing given the need for some brand consolidation at the company, preferring to concentrate on team sports such as college basketball. Cadillac, on the other hand, is a brand out to highlight individual achievements and individual excellence and so the opportunity to sponsor the WGC at Doral Golf Resort & Spa in Miami was regarded as the best way to let customers experience their products. 

For Mercedes, the company that replaced Cadillac at Augusta, with the tagline - 'the best or nothing," – stepping into the Masters made sense and helped the brand become associated with marketing properties that were the top tier. As is clear every April, The Masters and Augusta National is an event that remains meticulous about how they manage every blade of grass, about their history and with a worldwide focus in 185 countries it can deliver return. Albeit on a much higher scale perhaps. How a similar opportunity does not for the Irish Open is nothing short of bizarre. 

Failte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, both desperate to reverse the rapid decline in visitor numbers to the country, have clung to the wreckage left by the flight of the sponsor last December, ensuring the 2011 Irish Open takes place in July. However given the national finances the commercial rationale of the Government do so on an ongoing basis will be severely tested in the coming years as the EU and IMF determine our spending.. The European Tour, who were cajoled and harried into surrendering the July weekend for the 2010 event, in order to support the needs of the sponsor 3 and position the Irish Open for the long term - have also remained stoically behind the event as well. 

More critically, the Irish Open was reinvented in Killarney in 2010 and is now in a better place than it has ever been thanks to the local support and the dosh from new Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport – given their ownership of Killarney Golf and Fishing. Club. The only error being the focus on increasing the prize fund to €3M last summer in order to magic some of the bigger names to the event - a strategy that proved misplaced. And perhaps the reason the title sponsor felt some sense of dissatisfaction. 

If that were so, such thinking was naive given the commercial pressures that the world's top golfers have these days travel to venues where major sponsor interests lie. In Asia for example where HSBC and Barclays have a long teem financial and commercial commitment. With no global sponsor involved in the Irish Open the playing obligations of Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els, Dustin Johnson and Sergio Garcia are still weighted very much against the event during the peak of the season. 

Unless the players can work some miracles in the locker room the field will not vary from last year as the Irish players always support the national event anyway. It just happens that again this year the US Open winner is a local boy. 

Clearly such is the appeal of McIlroy right now, that if he asked any player way to bring their clubs they would probably do it. Especially given the location and hospitality in Killarney that was widely reported as exceptional. Which from the Government perspective bodes well as did the spectacular images of Killarney Open last summer, helped by the good weather. In the wake of Queen Elizabeth’s visit, closely followed by POTUS – the President of the United States – one should expect to see increases in visitor numbers this summer. 

For all golf fans the Irish Open remains a key event in the sporting calendar that speaks directly to a strong demographic across all markets and is a vital link with those sectors that traditionally visit Ireland too. The added spectacle of Rory McIlory is bound to be an attraction in itself albeit there are murmurings of an event already perhaps being staged in Royal Portrush in the near future – supported by Darren Clarke, McDowell and McIlroy. Particularly with the 100th anniversary of the Titanic looming in 2012. 

But the reality is that in the short term the vent needs a pan European brand to give it some horsepower, or division of a global sponsor to reinvigorate the tournament further from a commercial perspective. Or indeed the players themselves. 

With the pointed recognition by McIlroy in the post US Open interviews of the great benefits he gained from the work done by the Golfing Union of Ireland [GUI], there is a logic that says the sport would be best supported by those who are getting the most out it – the players. With McDowell also in the top ten and Harrington just slipping out of the top fifty last week, there should be an annual stipend repaid by those world class golf graduates for the GUI once they hit the big time. 

Given the rankings of those three players alone, a small percentage would go along way. It could also go along way to removing the perennial worry of finding sponsor for the Irish Open year in year out. That’s what is done in France and they don't even have a player in the top 50 of the official world golf rankings. 

The question is, who is gonna call Chubby Chandler and raise that one?

Larrazabal Wins BMW Garcia Gets Open

Larrazabal and Garcia

Marathon man Pablo Larrazabal beat fellow Spaniard Sergio Garcia at the fifth play-off hole to clinch his second European Tour title in Munich.

The 28 year old's victory in the BMW International Open came only 20 days after he lost at the sixth hole of sudden death in an Open Championship qualifier at Sunningdale.

Now Larrazabal will be going to Sandwich after all - and so will Garcia, whose runner-up finish earned him the other spot up for grabs off a "current form" mini money list.

After two years in which he has gone from second in the Official World Golf Ranking to outside the top 80, Garcia began his revival by coming seventh in the US Open Championship a week ago.

But, after making a birdie on the 72nd to force extra holes, he lost when he three-putted the same green an hour later.

It would have been his first success since November 2008, but Larrazabal has to go back five months longer for his previous win at the Open de France.

There was also sadness attached to this one, however.

"Last week we lost my grandad, the captain of the family, and this is for him," he said.

"Beating one of my heroes when I was growing up is just a dream - very emotional."

Earlier, Garcia had been two ahead after a magical run of three successive birdies from the sixth and eagle putts of 25 and 40 feet at the ninth and 11th.

Then came four bogeys in five holes, but finding the green in two at the 568 yard last and two-putting enabled him to catch Larrazabal on the 16 under par total of 272, both finishing with rounds of 68.

They first played the 18th twice more - and birdied it both times - and then the 12th and 17th, two par threes, could not separate them.

Larrazabal was much the further from the cup in two on their return to the 18th, but he was the one to get down in two for the €333,330 first prize.

Garcia earned €222,220, while joint third two strokes behind were Scotland's Scott Jamieson after a best-of-the-day 64, England's overnight leader Mark Foster, South Africans Retief Goosen and George Coetzee and Dutchman Joost Luiten.

Garcia has not missed a Major since the 1999 Open Championship at Carnoustie.

His run looked set to end only a few weeks ago, but he survived a seven-man play-off for four places in the US Open Championship and then showed that he is a force to be reckoned with again.

The 31 year old even took time out from golf last year to try to rediscover his passion - and being invited to join Colin Montgomerie's vice-captains at The Ryder Cup helped him to do it.

“I think the play-off was awesome,” said Garcia. “We were hitting good shot after good shot, I just wanted to make that putt so badly. 

“But you know, I think that the up and down on 17 and the birdie on 18 really meant a lot to get myself into the play-off. 

“After all when you look at it, I'm pretty satisfied. I think that I'm sure that we can learn some good things from this week, and we just can move forward.” 

His second place takes him just outside the world's top 50, while Larrazabal will be back in the top 100 after starting the week 180th.

England's Simon Dyson and Swede Johan Edfors were in position to take The Open Championship places before the German event, but Dyson missed the cut and Edfors did not play.

Home favourite Martin Kaymer, meanwhile, came 18th and so loses his World Number Three spot to US Open Champion Rory McIlroy.

With Luke Donald and Lee Westwood first and second it is the first time United Kingdom players have occupied the leading three positions since the Official World Golf Ranking began in 1986.

Jamieson achieved his round playing with Kaymer and, after chipping in for eagle at the 11th and closing with three birdies, he said: "I didn't imagine that at the start of the day - yesterday I didn't play well at all."

Leaderboard

McIlroy is World Number Three

US Open champion Rory McIlroy has climbed to a career-high of third in the world rankings.

Martin Kaymer's failure to finish in the top eight at the BMW International Open on Sunday led to McIlroy moving above the German.

World number one Luke Donald and Lee Westwood are now the only players above McIlroy in the rankings.

McIlroy, 22, is currently on a break and will next be in action in the Open Championship at Sandwich.

The Northern Irishman clinched his first major triumph last weekend when he won by eight shots at Congressional.

Galway Sports Scholarship Deadline

NUI Galway supports high performing athletes in a wide range of sports through its Sports Scholarship program. We currently have 50 athletes in 17 different sports benefitting from NUI Galway Sports Scholarships. 

The Scholarship program is being strategically developed not just to reward their ability and previous performances but to assist these young athletes develop their sporting ability hand in hand with their academic progress by putting in place the necessary supports 

. 

The benefits of being a scholarship holder includes; 

• A subsistence grant • Coaching support • Medical and Physiotherapy support • Performance Nutrition • Performance Psychology • Strength and Conditioning • Performance planning and mentoring. 

Each Scholarship will be built around the individuals needs and their chosen sport. Our key goal is to provide the supports that the ambitious and dedicated athlete can avail of to help them improve to the highest levels and to enable them to gain an outstanding qualification at the same time. 

The University has a dedicated Elite Sports development officer former Olympic Sprinter Gary Ryan, to assist these sportspeople in the pursuit of their twin sporting and academic goals. Gary, the former Director of Coaching for Athletics Ireland said "We are developing our scholarship scheme to the highest international standards to give outstanding talent the opportunity to develop. The scholarship and High performance sports program will create a performance environment for sport and study that encourages, challenges and supports each individual to reach their maximum potential". 

Current Scholarship holders include Inter County Senior Hurlers and Footballers, International Sprinters, Rowers, Swimmers, Rugby and Soccer players and some of Ireland’s leading young talents in sports as diverse as Rock Climbing, Windsurfing and Tennis. 

You can apply for a Sports Scholarship online: Sports Scholarship Application. 

The closing date for receipt of applications is 31st July. If you would like to learn more about the Sports Scholarship you can contact the Elite Sport Development Officer, Gary Ryan on 091 495979 or gary.ryan@nuigalway.ie

ThumbCaddy - Fit It, Grip It and RIP IT!

Thumb Caddy is an inch long, U shaped plastic device wrapped in a coat of soft rubber that clips onto the thinnest part of the shaft and slides up onto the middle of the grip. The Thumb Caddy is then aligned with the club logo or the club face, depending on the type of club.

How it Works

Thumb Caddy keeps your grip consistent throughout the swing. A stable grip prevents the tendency to turn your grip during the swing, what is commonly referred to as re-gripping. Thumb Caddy allows you to maintain proper club alignment and with a square club face, you'll consistently hit straighter and longer shots with more accuracy.

The Thumb Caddy also promotes optimum grip pressure and prevents you from gripping the handle too tightly, what the pros call "the death grip." You should hold the club lightly enough to allow for plenty of wrist freedom and feel, but firmly enough to maintain control throughout your swing. With Thumb Caddy you will be able to hinge and unhinge with more speed and power - resulting in more accuracy and distance!

A Grip Aid for Everyone

Thumb Caddy is used by a wide range of golf participants. Teaching Pros use Thumb Caddy in their lessons to reinforce a proper grip technique with beginners and children. Low Handicappers will practice with Thumb Caddy to build proper muscle memory and then slip it off their grip to play a competitive round. And recreational golfers will put one all their clubs and use as a full time playing aid. The end result is the same: with the proper grip you will eliminate hooks and slices and take strokes off your game!

It's Easy...Just Snap It, Fit It, Grip It and RIP IT!

Order first sample for half price!

 

McIlroy's Holywood Homecoming

US Open winning golfer Rory McIlroy poses with his trophy at Holywood Golf Club on June 22, 2011 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The 22 year old golfer has returned home to his native Northern Ireland and is giving press interviews and meeting with local supporters.

(June 21, 2011 - Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images Europe)

Play with Rory McIlroy in Killarney

Record-breaking US Open Champion Rory McIlroy will return to the Killarney Golf & Fishing Club for this year’s Irish Open, offering golf fans the thrill of a lifetime - to play alongside him in the tournament Pro-Am.

Ticket purchasers for this year’s event, to be played over the August Bank Holiday weekend, from July 28 – 31, will be able to enter a competition to win a place in golf’s newest and most exciting Major Champion’s Pro-Am Team on Wednesday, July 27.

Tickets are now available from www.europeantour.com/tickets with advance savings available on all season, daily and concession tickets. Junior fans, under the age of 16 and accompanied by a paying adult, will be granted free entry to the tournament. 

To enter the competition to play with Rory visit www.europeantour.com/tickets.

Now, one lucky fan will have the chance to get up close and personal with McIlroy by winning a place in his Pro-Am Team for what can only be described as the chance of a lifetime to play 18 holes with the runaway US Open Champion. In addition, the winner will receive free accommodation in a four star hotel for two nights (July 26 and 27)in order to soak up the entire Irish Open experience.

The 22 year old, who captured the US Open by a remarkable eight shots at Congressional on Sunday, is one of the biggest draws in golf and creates a huge buzz wherever he plays in the world. Nowhere was that more evident than the Killarney Golf & Fishing Club last year, as ‘Rory Fever’ swept through County Kerry and beyond as crowds flocked to see the young star in person.

“I’m really pleased to be able to offer someone a place in my Pro-Am Team at Killarney – hopefully people will like the idea of taking me on. I might even give them a couple of shots!”

McIlroy cannot wait to get back to Killarney as he bids to follow Padraig Harrington in 2007 and Shane Lowry in 2009 as home grown winners of their national Open. 

“The Irish Open is very high on the list of tournaments that I would like to win in my career one day,” said McIlroy.

“I think every golfer has a special place in his or her heart for their national Open and I am no different. To win in front of a home crowd is something we don’t get the chance to do that often, so I’d love to win the title.

“The event was a real success last year with so many people coming down to Killarney to support myself and the other Irish guys. Obviously G-Mac and Padraig were huge draws as well last year and I am sure it will be the same again this year.

“The Irish crowds are pretty amazing. They are unique in the way they get behind you and you always want to do well when you are playing in front of them.”

The competition closes for entries at midnight on Wednesday 20th July, 2011. European Tour Terms and Conditions apply. All entrants must be aged 16 and over on July 27, 2011 and in possession of an official handicap.

McIlroy Confirms Irish Open

McIlroy in 2010

The Irish Open has received a much-needed boost after US Open champion Rory McIlroy confirmed he will be playing in the event in August.

The tournament in Killarney is without a sponsor and the presence of McIlroy is sure to increase spectator numbers.

"Definitely, I will be playing the Irish Open later this summer," said the 22-year-old after securing his first major title at Congressional on Sunday.

However, McIlroy has pulled out of next week's French Open.

Fellow Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell did the same after he won the title last year, preferring to let the biggest week of his life sink in rather than rush back into competition.

Whereas McDowell returned at the Scottish Open, though, McIlroy is now set to make the Open at Sandwich on 14-17 July his next start.

The Irish Open suffered a blow when previous backers, telecommunications company 3 pulled out of the sponsorship last November.

McIlroy, McDowell and Padraig Harrington played in the tournament last year when crowds of up to 40,000 watched the action on the Killeen course.

Rory McIlroy - Factfile

1989: Born on May 4 in Holywood, Co Down to Rosie and Gerry McIlroy.

1991: Hits a 40-yard drive at the age of two.

1998: Makes his first hole in one.

2004: Helps Europe win the Junior Ryder Cup.

2005: Becomes the youngest winner of the West of Ireland and Irish Close Championships before playing in his firstprofessional European Tour event as a 16-year-old at the Forest of Arden. In July, McIlroy shoots a course-record 61 on the Dunluce links at Royal Portrush, leaving the Walker Cup selectors red-faced after they controversially omitted him from the 10-man team for that September's match with the USA in Chicago.

2006: Retains both Irish amateur titles, and in August wins the European Amateur Championship in Italy. Represents Ireland in the Eisenhower Trophy and the Amateur World Team Championship in October.

2007: May -- Makes the cut in a European Tour event for the first time at the Dubai Desert Classic. Has to forego prize money of more than €7,000 because of his amateur status.

July -- Hits the headlines with an opening three-under-par round of 68 in the British Open at Carnoustie. He goes on to tie for 42nd position, landing the Silver Medal as leading amateur. As he embraces the Claret Jug, Padraig Harrington quips: 'I'm just glad I managed to get my hands on this trophy before Rory -- he's going to win plenty of these".

September -- Plays on the Great Britain and Ireland team beaten by the USA at the Walker Cup in Royal County Down.

September 18 -- After topping the amateur rankings, McIlroy turns pro. The teenager then makes the cut in his first professional event at the Quinn Direct British Masters.

October -- Finishes third in his second pro event, the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. The following week, he secures his card for the 2008 season by finishing in a tie for fourth place at the Open de Madrid. He finishes 2007 in 95th place on the Order of Merit list.

2008: January 27 -- Enters the top 200 of the world rankings for the first time.

September 7 -- Takes a four-shot lead into the final round at the Omega European Masters in Switzerland but bogeys the 18th to tie with Jean-Francois Lucquin, who wins in a play-off. Finishes season in top 100 of the world rankings and ranked 36th on the Order of Merit.

November -- Finishes second in the UBS Hong Kong Open, and attains world ranking position of 50, making him the youngest player ever to make the top 50. A joint-third placing in the South African Open earns him a spot at the Masters in April 2009, only 18 months after turning pro.

2009: February 1 -- Wins first professional title at the Dubai Desert Classic (Left) by one shot from Justin Rose, lifting him to 16th in the rankings.

April -- Plays his first major as a professional at The Masters. He finishes the tournament at two-under in a tie for 20th.

June -- Makes his US Open debut and impresses, finishing 10th.

July -- Plays in first British Open as a professional. His final position is tied 47th.

August -- Achieves his best finish in a Major to date, tied third at the US PGA.

November -- After finishing second to Lee Westwood in the Race to Dubai, enters the world's top 10 for the first time.

2010: May 2 -- Secures first PGA Tour win with victory in the Quail Hollow Championship. His final-round 62 is a new course record. Becomes the first player since Tiger Woods to triumph on the PGA Tour prior to his 21st birthday.

July 15 -- Shoots a nine-under-par 63 on the opening day at St Andrews to lead the British Open. Rounds of 80, 68 and 69 see him end the tournament tied for third to rise to seventh in the world.

August 15 -- Ties for third in the USPGA Championship at Whistling Straits.

October 4 -- Wins a crucial half-point against Stewart Cink to help Europe win the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor.

November -- McIlroy announces his intention to return to the European Tour in 2011.

2011: April 10 -- Leads by four strokes going into the final day of The US Masters, but implodes on the back nine at Augusta National, racking up a triple-bogey seven at the 10th, followed by a three-putt bogey at 11 and a four-putt double-bogey at 12, after which he pulled his drive into the water at 13. The heart-rending image of the Northern Irishman (Right) with his tousled head in the crook of his arm on that tee remains indelible in the memory of Irish golf fans ... as does the courageous and dignified TV interview the youngster did immediately after his round.

April 18 -- McIlroy shows the resilience of youth by finishing third behind Italian teenager Matteo Manassero in the Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur -- his first event since his Masters meltdown.

June 5 -- After losing to best mate Graeme McDowell in the last 16 at the World Match Play and missing the cut on his title defence at Quail Hollow, McIlroy's morale gets a super-boost ahead of the US Open as he finishes in fifth place at the Memorial, giving a hot performance on the super-slick greens at Muirfield Village.

June 17 -- US Open records tumble on Friday at Congressional as McIlroy speeds to the lowest 36-hole total ever, 131 strokes, at the game's toughest championship. McIlroy becomes the fastest player to reach double figures under par when an eagle on eight moves him to 10-under through just 26 holes, 13 faster than Gil Morgan at Pebble Beach in 1992. He also plumbs lower than anyone at the US Open, 13-under, with his fifth birdie of the day at 17 and, despite a double-bogey at 18, equals the record lead of six strokes going into the weekend set by Morgan in '92 and matched by Tiger Woods, again at Pebble Beach, in 2000.

June 19 -- A third-round 68 establishes a record new low of 14-under-par at the US Open. His eight-stroke lead going into the final round is the second biggest in the history of the event -- the biggest lead after 54 holes was 10, by Woods, who won by 15 at Pebble Beach in 2000.

Courtesy Irish Independent

McIlroy to Join US Record Breakers

Rory still smiling at US Open

Fred Daly a Northern Irish professional won The Open Championship in 1947 at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club, Hoylake and was the first player from the island to have won the event until Padraig Harrington in 2007 at Royal Birkdale – which he repeated in 2008. In that same year the Dubliner bridged the gap in the PGA Championship when at Oakland Hills he saw off the challenge of Sergio Garcia, and in doing so, became the first European to win the event since Tommy Armour in 1930. 

Daly was born in Portrush, County Antrim and was the professional at the Balmoral Club in Belfast when he won the Open. He died in 1990 and was not to see his feat emulated by Harrington. Or the feat of another Portrush born golfer, Graeme McDowell, who last summer made further history by ending the forty year drought at the US Open at Pebble Beach, repeating a feat last done by Tony Jacklin. This summer at the Congressional in Maryland it looks like there will be another Northern Ireland repeat with Rory McIlroy entering the final round of the US Open holding a record breaking eight shot lead. 

Like Harrington’s back to back Open wins, the Holywood golfer looks like he won’t let the grass grow after GMAC’s breakthrough last year, given the manner in which is he playing this week. 

Whatever is in the water in the North East part of the island should now be bottled as the conveyor belt of talent continues in the wake of the achievements of Darren Clarke, Ronan Rafferty, David Feherty, and the generations previous such as Jimmy Heggarty, back to the time of Fred Daly and Norman Drew. The current European Tour is alive and well with the magic of Gareth Maybin and Michael Hoey, and the likes of Gareth Shaw, Jonathan Caldwell and Simon Thornton, still chasing the dream. With Portstewart’s, Paul Cutler, looking set also to make the breakthrough from the amateur ranks in due course. 

For former Ryder Cup star, David Feherty, who has been resident in the US for a few decades now, the reasons behind all this talent may again prove beyond explanation as it did the last time he interviewed McIlroy at Quail Hollow in 2010 – after the 20 year old walked off the course with a record breaking round of 62. 

Although since that day the warnings have been coming in the majors with increased speed and it was no surprise he caused a stir at St Andrews with his opening round, or the improved consistency over three days at the Masters. 

With that Sunday in April still fresh in his mind McIlroy and his caddie JP Fitzgerald have been dreaming of the moment when they could set the record straight and Sunday at The Congressional it will no doubt happen. Which for the Americans though, such news will be another reminder that for another twelve months the US Open trophy will be everywhere but on the PGA Tour, adding to the departure of the Masters to South African Charl Schwartzel on the European Tour, and the fact that Martin Kaymer of Germany will return to Georgia to defend the PGA Championship later in the year at the Atlanta Athletic Club. 

If you add the Accenture World Match play title held by Luke Donald, and The Open held by Louis Oosthuizen and then the 2010 Ryder Cup by Europe, it is a momentary reminder that in the absence of Tiger Woods the American golf cupboards are currently very bare. 

But for the fans watching behind the ropes in Bethesda those global trophy battles will not matter, as they are seeing a scintillating display of golf from a Rory McIlroy that exudes everything that is good about the game – manner, poise, talent, enjoyment and a carefree swagger. A breath of fresh air from the over intensity, ill temper and swearing that has afflicted Tiger Woods in more recent years, which for younger fans watching must be more enjoyable. 

However the comparisons are closer between the two in other ways, given their precocious talent, and could be more so after Sunday as Woods won his first major at Augusta when he was 22 in 1997. So did Jack Nicklaus in 1962 when he won the US Open. 

Last May McIlroy turned 22 years of age and in collecting the trophy on Sunday is set to break those records and become the youngest ever winner. 

One imagines it is only the first of many.

Only Pundits Nervous About Rory

Some seven years ago Gerry McIlroy placed a four hundred pound bet at 500 to 1 that his son Rory would win The Open before he was 25 years old. Last July relaxing at the new St Andrew's Hotel his money would have looked safe on the Thursday evening, after his son carded an opening round 63. But it was not to be, although it might at Royal St. George’s next month, or Royal Lytham and St Annes next year. 

What is clear though, is that Gerry’s money is in good hands and by the time the Open returns to St Andrew's in 2015 the bet will have been well collected. Just a pity the original bet did not include a major as well given the performance at Congressional this week. From where most people stand it’s beginning to look like the Sunday medal at Holywood Golf Club in County Down, as the 22 year old devastates the record books and leaves YE Yang the nearest challenger six shots adrift. 

Funnily enough in the wake of the St Andrews second round 80 and a similar score in the final round of the Masters in April, the only things that seem nervous at the moment are the pundits. 

Over the past two days they have all been wriggling with fear as they mix words of caution with high praise, sprinkled with warnings to all that there are still two rounds to go. 

In April at Augusta Butch Harmon predicted that McIlroy would not win the Masters, and in fairness he was correct, even in some of the reasons he proffered. In the build up his analysis was all about the movement of the ball, “Rory hits the ball from right to left, so that’s the good news,” suggesting that McIlroy’s draw shape off the tee will benefit him on several holes, “but I’m not sure his short game is of the quality of some of the other players.” Credit to Harmon he predicted the ball flight correctly, if only the tenth tee on the Sunday when McIlroy planted his ball between two houses on the left side of the fair way. 

On Friday night in a one-on-one with David Murray of Sky Sports, Harmon was again preaching caution given there were 36 holes left to play, and the USGA were bound to make the course harder as the weekend went on. Although Rory found water on the 18th and dropped two shots as a result, the truth is the margin should really be eight strokes. And if this were Tiger at the height of his powers, and the legend of red shirt Sunday still held a sense of invincibility, then most of the world class field would be half packed by now and just playing for a place. Undoubtedly because of Rory’s high profile duff days the experts are perched fearfully of another Devon Loch moment. 

This moment came in the 1956 Grand National, when a horse called Devon Loch was racing the final stretch with a five-length lead, only to inexplicably jump into the air and collapse flat on its stomach with jockey Dick Francis unable to get the Queen Mother’s; horse, to complete the race. 

How the horse actually managed to do what it did remains unexplained to this day, which is completely unlike McIlroy's experiences at St Andrews and Augusta. Clearly, in his own mind he got out of the moment and his Friday TV interview at Congressional showed a man who is unlikely to make the same mistake again on the Bethesda course. Albeit he knows he will make others, as unfortunately Rory cannot played defensive golf as it is not his style. 

What the pundits like Harmon need to look at is the 1997 Masters Tournament when Tiger Woods won his first major championship with rounds of 70-65-67-69 leaving Tom Kite, the nearest challenger, 12 strokes behind. At the time Woods was 22 years of age, and his win of -18 broke the four-day tournament low record at Augusta. As we know, since that win Woods continued to write history amassing 14 major championships, and 71 PGA Tour events. 

The feat of Nicklaus in 1962 is also worthy of note as it heralded his arrival to the game, which he still dominates to today with an unrivalled 18 Major titles. 

That tournament was at Oakmont Country Club, near Palmer’s home, who at the time was the most popular golfer in the world. The young upstart chasing his crown was a brash Nicklaus, who was unpopular with the crowd, seen as badly dressed, slightly portly and far from the popular player he was to become in the years after. Despite being taunted by the crowd, Jack won the 18-hole playoff against Palmer – securing his first major at 22 years of age. 

Although there was little doubt entering the 1962 U.S. Open, that Nicklaus was going to have a good PGA Tour career, as he was the National Collegiate Athletic Association [NCAA] Championship winner, also a 2-time U.S. Amateur champion , with two previous U.S. Opens finishes of second and fourth place. But in the 1962 event he was in his rookie year as a professional, with no wins in 17 starts, and was not really expected to challenge the status quo – never mind win the event in Arnold Palmer’s back yard. But he did, no doubt to the surprise of the golf pundits of the time. 

It was Arnold Palmer, after losing the play-off, who perhaps uttered the most prophetic words about Nicklaus as he clutched the trophy, "Now that the big guy is out of the cage, everybody better run for cover." 

So started the era of the Golden Bear. 

So will start the era of Rory McIlroy in Bethesda this weekend.

Dylan Manning 

Jack Set the Benchmark in 1962

McIlroy find birdies at Congressional

It is nothing short of amusing to reflect on the numerous articles written, posted and blogged the Monday following the Masters in April, all forensically searching for the reasons for Rory McIlroy's disastrous round the previous day. The matter in question was an errant drive on the 10th that triggered one of those most feared golfing moments that has now become part of folklore, adding to others as far back as Sam Snead in the 1947 U.S. Open, Greg Norman in the 1996 Masters, Jean van de Velde in the 1996 Open Championship or Sergio Garcia’s heartbreak at the PGA Championship at Oakland Hills in 2008, losing a three shot lead to Padraig Harrington. 

At the Congressional Club on Thursday it was good to see McIlroy on the tee box at the US Open with the same caddie, JP Fitzgerald, the same equipment, no less sponsors and that boyish demeanour that only McIlroy can exude without offence. With gallons of ink consumed in the print media since the Masters, the offers of help have been endless, as have those offering reasons as to what is wrong with McIlroy’s game - and a lengthy list of potential other solutions. 

For “Weemac” himself, it was all more much low key and he flew out of Georgia quietly travelling with the Masters Champion, Charl Schwarzel, alongside him for a 22 hour flight to Kuala Lumpur, fulfilling a commitment at the Maybank Malaysian Open. After some rest, there was time spent with Dave Stockton on his putting, a trip to the Champions League final at Wembley and also a number of tournaments, all played as normal. Indeed he said it best himself in his pre-US Open press conference, “I’ve learned over the past few months you can’t take a lot of notice from what other people say. You have to go out and do it yourself. 

In the build up to this week there were signs that this could be a good week for him, as even Rory noticed the support and empathy about as he finalised his preparations, which were interrupted for a few days when he visited Haiti. The 22-year was there in his role as UNICEF ambassador, and saw firsthand the challenges that still exist 18 months after an earthquake shook the most destitute nation outside the African continent. Undoubtedly adding greater context for Rory’s Masters Sunday experience. 

"I just felt a little tentative throughout the whole day," he said. "I wasn't quite as free-flowing as it was the first few days." 

"That's all you can do. It's not the end of the world," he said. "You analyse it, you pick things from it what you think you could have done better. And when you get yourself into that position again, you try and put those things that you want to do better into practice." 

In many ways, Rory arrived at the Bethesda course with the pressure on his country man GMAC, who as the defending champion had to return the trophy he has carted around the world for the past year. McDowell also returns to the event where his rollercoaster season started and deals with the other demands entailed in being the first European winner in 40 years – and the defending champion. All at a time when he has failed to establish rhythm to his game the season, which saw a missed cut at the Masters, and a round of 81 at the Wales Open. 

Against that backdrop McIlroy would have been delighted to slip into the Congressional Country Club under the radar, and able to focus on his own preparations unhindered. So far the plan is the working for the Hollywood man, even if some is ink being spilled recalling McIlroy’s second day St Andrews last July where an opening 63 at the Open Championship, was followed on the Friday with a second round 80. Or similar comparisons with three rounds at Augusta, which ended up becoming that now often cited Sunday collapse. 

A tag which the last winner of the US Open at the Congressional, Ernie Els believes will be lost sooner, rather than later. 

"I'm probably the best guy to ask for advice because I've done so many things in my career where I didn't quite close a lot of events. 

"Rory made some mistakes at Augusta and, hopefully, he's learned from it and didn't get too despondent about it. 

Els could be right as the US Open in 1962 at Oakmont Country Club in Western Pennsylvania a 22-year-old rookie with no wins in 17 professional starts reached the playoff against Arnold Palmer, who that week was both reigning Masters and Open Champion. In beating Palmer in the play-off, Jack Nicklaus finally made the breakthrough and that victory kick-started the Golden Bear era of eighteen major titles. Which is sill a benchmark to this very day. 

Els said it the best in his advice to McIlroy. 

"If he keeps his head up, I think he's going to win a lot of Majors."