Harrington Happy with Irish Open Slot

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Padraig Harrington is intent on going with the flow as he prepares for this week’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at the K Club.

“This is a tough week for all the Irish guys,” he said. “There’s a lot going on. The key here is that you’ve got to embrace what’s going on and not fight against it.

“You can’t do your regular stuff, you can’t do your regular routines, your preparation isn’t going to be the same this week as it is any other week.

“You have to embrace that and accept it. I certainly fought against that for years and I really found this the toughest event. Now, I just accept I won’t be able to do everything right.

“There aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done in an Irish Open week, and by trying to fit everything in, you’ll actually fail miserably.”

One area where players shouldn’t have too many causes for concern is on the actual course, which has come in for praise.

“The guys are giving it a very positive appraisal,” the 44-year-old revealed. “I haven’t managed to get a practice round in, I’ve been too busy!

“I play the pro-am tomorrow (Wednesday) and I’ll see the golf course. I assume my past knowledge of it will be good enough to get myself around it. 

“But I’m looking forward to it. I hear it’s in good condition. The two weeks of good weather in the last two weeks really brought it on.” 

The lure of a big pot has attracted a stellar field and Harrington confirmed: “A €4million event has basically ensured that all the European players play.

“It counts for so much when it comes to making the Ryder Cup team and the Race To Dubai itself.

“If you talk about changing the date, next week is the BMW Championship in the UK, which is one of the biggest events.

“So players see it as a natural sequence of a couple of events.

“It has got a good time at the moment - it is a good slot on the European schedule.”

The Dubliner also revealed the influence Christy O’Connor Sr had on his career on the day the legendary golfer was laid to rest. 

“It was very sad news,” he said.“I went out and saw the family today. 

“I was reminded of a little story. My dad only took up golf because of Christy O'Connor Sr. So I wouldn’t be playing golf, only for Christy O'Connor Sr.”

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McGee and Phelan Added to K Club

McGee at Challenge de Madrid - Getty Images

Ruaidhri McGee and Kevin Phelan have accepted invitations from Sport Ireland to compete in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open which gets underway at The K Club next Thursday (19 May). 

This allows both players to start in a full European Tour event alongside some of the leading players in the world including Masters champion Danny Willett and Ireland's own Rory McIlroy. 

McGee, whose best finish of the season so far came on the Challenge Tour in Madrid where he was tied ninth can't wait to tee it up next week. 

"It's huge. It's such a big tournament the Irish Open. Obviously being my home tournament it's great to get to play in it. It could make a huge difference to the season. You have a good week there and it could change everything. 

"Sport Ireland have helped me out for the past three years now, it's been huge. I don't if I'd be where I am now without their support. I probably couldn't have played nearly as much as I have without it. It's been a great help." 

John Treacy, CEO Sport Ireland commented "I am delighted that Sport Ireland, through its sponsorship of the Irish Open, has been able to offer invitations to two emerging Irish golfers, Kevin Phelan and Ruaidhri McGee. This will provide both players with the opportunity to play in a top class European Tour event on home soil and also to help further their careers as professional golfers." 

Both McGee and Phelan received financial assistance this year from Sport Ireland as part of the Team Ireland Golf fund which is administered by the Confederation of Golf in Ireland. 

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Ballyliffin Seeks Irish Open Place

Ballyliffin Golf Club representatives have asked the European Tour to add it the rota of Irish Open courses.

Officials from the club, which is based in Inishowen, Donegal, were at the K Club, host venue for this week's Irish Open, on Tuesday.

Ballyliffin wants to host the Irish Open in 2019, a few weeks before the Open Championship at Royal Portrush.

Next year's Irish Open may be staged at Portstewart after the European Tour withdrew the event from Lough Erne.

Ballyliffin has already hosted European Challenge Tour and Senior Tour events.

Most recently, Ballyliffin's Old Course staged the 2008 Irish Seniors Open but the club's Pat Ruddy-designed Glashedy links would be the venue if the main European Tour event comes to the Inishowen peninsula.

Ballyliffin has maintained close links with the European Tour in recent years and the club made no secret of the fact that it viewed events such as the Seniors Open as a dry-run for the main Irish Open.

However, the Donegal club would face major challenges - not least financial - in order to fulfil its ambition of staging an Irish Open.

Nearby Malin Head was in the news last week after filming for the upcoming Star Wars movie took place at Ireland's most northerly point.

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Master Willett on Green Soil

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Danny Willett will make his first appearance on European soil in this week’s Irish Open Hosted by the Rory Foundation.

Thirty-seven days after his heroics at Augusta National, Willett’s life is only now starting to regain a sense of normality. And whilst the Englishman has undoubtedly enjoyed basking in the limelight, he is equally keen to get back to what he does best: namely winning golf tournaments.

Willett said: “There are a lot of commitments you’ve got to do on and off the golf course. No one really prepares you for that. You can’t quite understand what guys like Rory [McIlroy] and Jordan [Spieth] go through until you experience it yourself. 

“My time management has become more important than ever, and I’m still just getting used to everything. I’m sure that as the weeks go on and other guys win events, it will settle down. 

“But you’ve got to embrace it and enjoy it. It’s been a busy four weeks and I’ve loved every minute of it, but it’s nice to get back to the day job.”

The four weeks Willett took off following his life-changing victory was the longest break he has taken since joining the pro ranks in 2008. 

Understandably, there was a fair degree of rust in the system upon his return to action on the US PGA Tour last week, and a missed cut was not altogether unexpected. 

But after a productive session on the practise range on Monday with his two coaches, Pete Cowen and Mike Walker, Willett feels confident of building on the sizeable lead he has established at the top of the Race to Dubai Rankings. 

He said: “The main aim is to try to get things back to the way they were, and just try to enjoy it. It’s great to be back in Europe supporting Rory’s event, and hopefully I can have a good week here. 

“Obviously the crowds are going to be fantastic. I really enjoy the experience of playing in Ireland. Hopefully I’ll be playing with one of the Irish lads and we’ll get some good support out there.” 

The K Club memorably hosted the 2006 Ryder Cup, when Darren Clarke inspired Europe to victory, and Willett will gain his first taste of golf’s greatest team event at Hazeltine National in September. 

As part of his meticulous preparations, Captain Clarke invited some potential team members to dinner in Florida last week, and the experience clearly whetted Willett’s appetite.

He said: “It was good to hear Darren speak to the guys and to get in that team environment already. The guys talked about past experiences and talking me through some of the things they think will happen and what you can expect, which was great.

"It was great to hear Rory’s take on things and to spur on all of us rookies. It just gets your juices flowing to hear those things. You hear Clarkey talking about some of his stories, and it makes you want to be a part of it.”

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Lowry Eyes K Cub for Irish Win

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Shane Lowry is at a loss to explain his fluctuating fortunes during many of his tournaments this year as he prepares for an assault on this week’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at the K Club. 

Lowry’s season has been peppered with sensational starts but underwhelming subsequent rounds and it was the same story last weekend, where the Offaly man registered rounds of 65 and 68 before a disastrous 78 ended his chance of victory in the Players Championship at Sawgrass.

“If you look at it historically, I’ve been pretty average in opening rounds and I play my way into tournaments.

“I just need to learn to keep the foot on the pedal.

“I was probably only two shots away from really thinking I had a chance going out last Sunday, so I’m not that far away.

“Hopefully, this week is the week where I can make that change and play well for four rounds.”

Lowry caused a huge upset when he claimed the Irish Open as an amateur in Baltray seven years ago today, but struggles to recall the detail of what should have been an unforgettable day. 

Asked about what he remembered of his landmark win in Louth, he said: “Not much, to be honest.

“Obviously, it was a day that changed my life.

“Well, I’m not sure if I wouldn’t be sitting here anyway, but it changed the course of my career a little bit anyway.

“I don’t really remember much.

“I just remember from looking back on videos and photos of just winning.

“I can only imagine how it felt - I don’t know how it felt at the time. I’d love to go back and relive it for a few seconds.

“It’s something I’ll look back at as I get older and older, and when I’m old and retired and finished playing golf, I’m sure I’ll look back at those videos and think ‘yeah, that was pretty cool’.”

The 29-year-old may have ticked the Irish Open of his bucket list, but is now keen to achieve an amateur-professional double in the event.

“Even if I hadn’t won it as an amateur, to win it as a pro would be one of my goals,” he said.

“To have that on your CV - winning your home tournament as an amateur and a pro - would be pretty nice.”

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Star Cast at Dubai Duty Free Irish Open

The success of the 2015 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open Hosted by the Rory Foundation - the first Irish Open sponsored by Dubai Duty Free - plus record prize money for this year's championship, has tempted a star-studded cast to The K Club in County Kildare from May 19-22.

Led by reigning Masters Champion Danny Willett, the field includes eight Major champions among 12 top-50 players in the Official World Golf Ranking. Rory McIlroy heads up the Irish contingent of Major champions, which includes 2007 Irish Open Champion Padraig Harrington, Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell, with Germany’s Martin Kaymer, Korea’s Y.E. Yang and South Africa’s Trevor Immelman making up one of the strongest fields in the tournament’s history.

Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman of Dubai Duty Free, said: “The terrific inaugural tournament at Royal County Down last year, plus the fact that the Rory Foundation will continue to host the event was central to our decision to extend our sponsorship to 2018. 

“We are also pleased that as a result of our sponsorship commitment, The European Tour has announced an increase in prize money from €2,500,000 to €4million, making it one of the highest purses on the 2016 Race to Dubai and very appealing for international players to participate.

The staging of the tournament at The K Club, which has recently undergone a major expansion, is another positive. With all these things combined, we are looking forward to a great event.

“By sponsoring the Irish Open it lifts the significance of the event considerably. At last year’s event it felt to me a bit like the re-birth of the tournament, with Dubai Duty Free and the Rory Foundation behind it. Having been without a title sponsor for a number of years it’s been a great boost for the event. The Dubai Duty Free brand is well recognised around the world and we certainly have a global reach. We believe that being involved in golf, is a good thing, particularly with golf being one of Ireland’s biggest attractions.”

McIlroy said: “The support we had last year from all our on-going sponsors, including fellow Dubai sponsorsEmirates Airline and Jumeirah Golf Estates, fans, volunteers and Royal County Down with a ‘sell-out’ tournament, attracting more than 100,000 spectators was incredible. It exceeded all expectations. I’ve got a good relationship with Colm McLoughlin and Dubai Duty Free and I’ve got a long-standing history with Dubai. I’ve got to know Colm over the years just by playing tournaments in the UAE. With our Foundation being involved it aligned very well with their charitable Foundation. It just seemed like a good fit. 

“I was absolutely delighted when Colm and Dubai Duty Free came on board. They have a great sponsorship history in the Middle East and in Ireland and England, and the association has given the tournament that extra kudos. Coming together to benefit the lives of young people can only be a good thing. The other important thing for me is that I can learn a lot from Colm and his extensive experience doing charitable work.

“I would like to thank Colm McLoughlin and Keith Pelley, Chief Executive of The European Tour for supporting my vision to develop the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open Hosted by the Rory Foundation into one of the leading events on The European Tour’s schedule, over the next three years. I am sure The K Club, celebrating the 25th anniversary of the club and their 10th anniversary as host of the 2006 Ryder Cup, and having held 11 European Opens, will be an excellent venue for the 2016 Irish Open.”

McLoughlin was equally impressed by Rory’s efforts with the tournament: “Rory has done a remarkable job in attracting the top golfers to play in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open and bringing his Foundation into the mix has been a great initiative.”

Keith Pelley said: “The Irish Open is one of the most prestigious and most eagerly anticipated tournaments on The Race to Dubai, and having two powerful global brands in Dubai Duty Free and Rory McIlroy supporting the event as well as a record prize fund, will ensure that continues. We are delighted that Dubai Duty Free have pledged themselves to the tournament through until 2018 and we thank them for their continued commitment and vision, not just to the Irish Open but to The European Tour as a whole.

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McIlroy Overcomes Sawgrass with 64

McIlroy at Sawgrass R2 - Getty Images

Rory McIlroy’s second round in The Players produced a career-best 64, to move to eight-under-par at TPC Sawgrass, and some satisfaction over course that has over the years has caused the Holywood golfer grief.

McIlroy wasted no time in making his move, an opening with a 25 foot for birdie on the 10th, his first of the day, which was followed by four birdies in a row. There was a six-footer on 15 for his fifth birdie and then rolled in a 55 footer from off the green for eagle on the Par 5 16th.

That run on his front nine enabled him to match the day-old record of 29 strokes set by Shane Lowry on Thursday. “The back nine could not have played any easier,” admitted McIlroy.

However the fireworks of that stretch didn’t continue into the homeward run,  with further birdies at the second and seventh only to come unstuck on the Par 5 ninth where McIlroy opted to lay-up with his approach. 

Having left 270 yards to the front of the green he played a poor third shot into the grassy bank of a greenside bunker and ran up a bogey six.

“I guess I have got it in my head that any time I have went for the green it hasn’t really worked out that well for me. With hindsight, that pin being on the left side, (hitting it) anywhere on the right and I would have had a chance to get up and down. But I thought if I get it within 100 yards and take my chance from there. I didn’t hit a great third shot. Maybe if I had it back, I would go for the green,” explained McIlroy, who had eyed a possible 62 if he’d managed to birdie his closing hole.

A round of 64 moved him into contention and into a position far removed from his early years in playing at Sawgrass when he missed the cut in his first three appearances in the tournament. 

“I hit a lot of quality shots, hopefully I’ll continue to see that over the weekend.”

McIlroy wasn’t the only one to take advantage of benign conditions and soft greens, as Colt Knost hit all 18 greens in regulation and shot a course record equalling 63 to leapfrog through the field to lie on 135 at the halfway stage.

Knost even had a chance to set a new course record, but three-putted the 18th for a bogey. “I was fine over the first putt. I was trying to two-putt it, which is probably the problem instead of trying to make it. I was a little nervous over the second one. I knew what it was for. But I didn’t hit a bad putt, I hit it on the left lip and it just stayed there and lipped out.”

Graeme McDowell fired a second round 70 for 142 to at least survive the midway cut.

Pádraig Harrington’s 74 means he missed back-to-back cuts after also failing to survive at the Wells Fargo last week.

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McIlroy Wells Fargo Charge Fades

McIlroy Quail Hollow - Getty Images

Rory McIlroy, the tournament's only two-time winner, had two bogeys in the first four holes and shot 73.

The two-time tournament champion who shot 11-under 61 last year in the third round on his way to a runaway victory, couldn't muster that same magic on Saturday.

He struggled throughout his round with his accuracy off the tee and putting. A double bogey on the ninth hole and bogey on the 11th seemed to zap him of any momentum and likely a chance at becoming the tournament's first three-time winner.

McIlroy said the course is "tricky," especially on the back nine but said his game still isn't where it needs to be.

"There's been spells where it's been good and I've had a couple of chances to win this year, but it's a work in progress," said McIlroy, who has not won on the PGA TOUR this season. 

"I'm trying to stay patient, as patient as possible, but there are definitely times out on the course where I get quite frustrated."

Rickie Fowler is looking to jumpstart his season at a course where he first won on the PGA Tour.

Fowler shot a 4-under 68 on Saturday to take the third-round lead at the Wells Fargo Championship.

Fowler, who broke through at Quail Hollow Club in 2012 for his first tour title, had a one-stroke lead over Roberto Castro, with Justin Rose and James Hahn two strokes back.

Rickie won THE PLAYERS Championship and Deutsche Bank Championship last year and took the European Tour event in Abu Dhabi early this year. Though he blew a late lead and lost the Phoenix Open in a playoff this season, he has the confidence to handle pressure situations in the final round. That's something he admitted he didn't have five years ago.

"It's completely different," Fowler said. "I would say before (it was) maybe not the complete belief or knowledge of knowing what to do and how to win to get the job done. But now it's fun to go out there and go take care of business."

Castro was atop the leaderboard most of the day, but bogeyed the 18th hole for a 71.

Winless on the tour, he said he's looking forward to playing with Fowler in the final group Sunday.

"If you want to win a tournament out here and really win a marquee event like this one, you're going to have to grab your hat and play with one of the top five players in the world probably the final round," Castro said. "So that's what I've got tomorrow so I'm excited about it."

Fowler parred the first seven holes Saturday before heating up with three straight birdies on Nos. 8-10. It appeared things were starting to crumble after bogeys on 10 and 12, but Fowler came back strong with three straight birdies starting on No. 14 to pull into a tie for the lead. He had a little luck along the way.

Fowler avoided potential trouble on the 18th hole when his ball held up in the high grass instead of rolling into the creek along left side of the fairway. Playing with the ball well above his feet, Fowler ripped an iron onto the green and saved par.

Phil Mickelson and defending champion Rory McIlroy struggled, dropping eight shots behind Fowler.

Mickelson, looking for his first win at the Quail Hollow Club in 13 starts, was in contention until a quadruple-bogey 8 on his old nemesis, the 18th hole. He finished with a 76.

He found the creek on his approach shot and, after taking a drop, needed three chips before finding the green and two-putting for an 8.

Mickelson's struggles on the final hole at Quail Hollow have been well documented. In the 51 career rounds, he is 21 over on No. 18 -- a hole he said earlier this week simply doesn't set up well for the left-hander.

Rose has quietly put himself in contention on Sunday after rounds of 70, 70 and 69.

He said the course, which will host the PGA Championship next year, is playing extremely hard especially given the gusty wind this week.

"This type of scoring would definitely hold up in a PGA Championship," Rose said. "They're not looking for us to shoot even par like a U.S. Open. Single digits under par is really good golf and it's a sign of a great golf course."

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