The Irish Golf Club Gazette: The Players Championship

Showing posts with label The Players Championship. Show all posts

5/18/2016

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.”

Irish Professionals - Brendan McGovern

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Brendan McGovern is recognised as one of Ireland's top golfers and is club professional at the 36 hole Headfort Golf Club in Kells, County Meath.

After turning professional in 1984 he qualified for the European Tour in 1990 where he played for over five years.

In 1997 he qualified for the 126th Open Championship at Royal Troon and suffered an opening round of 84 in very difficult conditions. On the Friday hefollowed up with a 74 and missed the cut. T

he Claret Jug that year went to American Justin Leonard after Darren Clarke could only finish on Sunday with a round of 71.

Over the past years McGovern has been a regular at the Irish Open.

Brendan is a Certified PGA Referee and 2003 captain of Irish Region PGA. He is a member of Tartan Golf - Ireland's largest buying group and the Headfort Pro shop supplies all leading brands at best prices.

Brendan offers lessons in all aspects of the game and is regarded as a leading short game specialist in the country with special tuition on pitching, chipping and bunker play.

In 2016 McGovern returned to the pro circuit to play the Senior Tour qualifiers in Portugal and finished third in the final event following rounds of 67-74-70-73 - to earn a place on the European Senior Tour for the 2016 season.

Career Highlights

Irish Assistant Champion 1984

Southern Professional Champion 1993/2002

Leading Qualifier British Open 1997

European Card Holder 1990/1995

Runner-up Boggi Intl. Open 1990

9th Kenya Open 1995/1996

8th Zambian Open 1994

8th European U 25 (Paris) 1989

Irish Order of Merit Winner 1990/1995/2002

Over 60 pro-am wins

Lowest pro score 63 (9 under) Torrequebreda S.C.

Represented GB/Ire in PGA Cup matches v. USA 1996/2003

FactFile

DOB 07/10/2015

Seniors QSchool 2016

Attachment Headfort Gol Club

Turned Pro 1984

5/12/2016

McIlroy Targets Players Championship

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Rory McIlroy admits he is frustrated at failing to turn good performances into wins this season as he looks to claim one of the few big titles so far missing from his glittering CV in the Players Championship.

As well as winning four major titles and playing on three successive victorious Ryder Cup teams, McIlroy has won two World Golf Championship events and two FedEx Cup play-off tournaments, meaning the so-called 'Fifth Major' is high on the agenda.

McIlroy has finished eighth, sixth and eighth in the last three years at Sawgrass, but similar statistics so far in 2016 mean the 27-year-old is the only member of the world's top five without a victory this season.

"Results-wise it isn't what I hoped for," McIlroy told a pre-tournament press conference on Wednesday. "My performances have been pretty good, I've had a few chances to win tournaments. Of the nine events I've played so far I think I have six top-10s so it hasn't been too bad, but there's no wins in there.

"It's been frustrating and especially because I feel like I've played some really good golf in this stretch, but at the same time there's just been too many mistakes.

"Again last week I led the field in birdies at Quail Hollow, I was up there at Augusta. There's just been too many loose shots, too many soft bogeys, so if anything I just need to tidy that up because I know I'm playing good enough to make the birdies and to post a lot of red (under par) numbers, but I just need to tidy up everything else."

Despite those frustrations, McIlroy remains confident in his ability to "close" out tournaments down the stretch, reiterating that he learnt the most from his collapse in the 2011 Masters.

McIlroy, who was four shots clear heading into the final round at Augusta before slumping to a closing 80, added: "I don't think I believed I was a good closer until 2012.

"My wins early on in my career I led by a lot; whether it was my first win in Dubai, I think I was six ahead with six to play and sort of fell over the line there. When I won at Quail Hollow in 2010 I was five behind at the start of the day and I ended up winning by four. I just got on a great run, I didn't actually have to play with the lead for any length of time. US Open was sort of similar in 2011.

"At the start of '12, whenever I needed to hold on on the back nine at the Honda Classic.... Tiger (Woods) had shot 62, I was trying to get in the clubhouse and become world number one for the first time, that's when I really believed I've finally been able to close a tournament out and be able to play the right shot at the right time and keep it together.

"It takes experience, it takes losing a few first I think before understanding what you need to do. I've always said the biggest learning curve and day of my career was that Sunday at Augusta in '11.

"At least I know now exactly what not to do and what doesn't work for me so when I go into these final rounds and situations where I have a chance to win, I know how to handle myself, what way to think.

"I think that's the big thing, the mentality of learning what's going to be a good score that day, what's going to be the number that's going to win and really try and forget about everything else and try to get to that number."

Shane Lowry and Graeme McDowell also tee off on Thusday at TPC Sawgrass.

5/07/2016

McIlroy Mixed Day at Wells Fargo

McIlroy at Wells Fargo - Getty Images

Rory McIlroy moved into contention midway through his second round at the Wells Fargo Championship in North Carolina on Friday before dropping down the field at Quail Hollow by the last hole.

The world number three did well to avoid a double-bogey on the 18th hole – when he pitched to within a couple of feet of the pin having had to take a penalty drop after finding water with his second shot – to card a three-under 69 that moved him to two under, six shots behind clubhouse leader Andrew Loupe.

McIlroy’s wedge play was the key to his success, a brilliant chip-in eagle from 80 feet at the seventh kick-starting a run that saw him knock in three straight birdies to get to five under for his round after 10 holes

He was within four shots of Loupe at that stage, the American having earlier carded a one-under 71 to post a mark of eight under. But McIlroy failed to keep the foot down, making three bogeys on the final seven holes, with just one more birdie coming on the 14th.

Shane Lowry was two shots outside the cut after carding a a one-over second round of 73.

Pádraig Harrington also missed the weekend with five-over par 77 second round left him on seven over.

Phil Mickelson used his short game pedigree to claw his way within three strokes of Loupe.

The five-times Major champion hit only nine greens in regulation but used his vaunted touch around the greens to piece together a two-under 70.

He got up-and-down to save par on eight occasions, his lone bogey coming at his final hole, where he drove into a bunker.

“I scrapped it around,” said Mickelson. “My short game was sharp. I hit a lot of good iron shots, but I had to play for par a little too many times because I didn’t put it in play off the tee,” he said.

Loupe, who shared the first-round lead with fellow American Steve Wheatcroft, had a chance to build a substantial advantage, only to bogey two of his final three holes for a 71.

“It’s half-time,” said the long-hitting Loupe, who is without a win in 53 starts on the PGA Tour and understands a 36-hole lead counts for little.

American Roberto Castro was one shot behind Loupe on seven under after a fine six-under 66.

5/27/2015

It's Good to be Back - GMAC

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Graeme McDowell is delighted to be back playing in Northern Ireland as he prepares for this week’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open Hosted by the Rory Foundation at Royal County Down.

Royal Portrush became the first course in Northern Ireland to host the Irish Open for 59 years in 2012, and has subsequently been added to The Open Championship roster of courses.

"It's great to be back here," McDowell said. "Obviously Portrush a few years ago (staging the Irish Open in front of record crowds) put Northern Ireland golf on the map from the point of view of what we are capable of and led to things like The Open Championship coming back to Portrush.

“There's something about this golf course that I love. I love the elevation changes. I love the bunkering. It's a much tougher golf course.

"This will be a really, really great showcase I think for golf and Ireland in general.

“I think everyone I've spoken to loves the golf course.

“Rory and his foundation and his team, for him to step up and do what he's done here, taking this event and putting his name to it, I have a huge appreciation for the level of responsibility that that takes.

“The type of field that he's put together here, we haven't seen a field like this at The Irish Open for many years, since back in its heyday.

“As an Irish player, we have been really driving hard to try and get sponsors and get a great spot on the schedule to try and bring the best players in the world to Ireland and showcase golf courses like Royal County Down and show people what we have here.

“This is really a huge step in the right direction from what we want The Irish Open to look like.”

McDowell's sixth place last year was his first top-ten finish in 13 appearances, but the 35 year old believes a more relaxed approach can help to improve that record.

"A lot of that is down to wanting it too badly and wanting to perform for the home fans too much and maybe that expectation level has just been a little too high," McDowell admitted.

"It's been a quiet year and I would love to kick-start my summer off with a big week here. I've been working really hard on my game and I really feel like it's turning the corner."

5/17/2015

McIlroy Sets New Record

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Rory McIlroy further underlined his status as the best player in the world after taking control of the Wells Fargo Championship with a stunning 11-under 61 in the third round.

McIlroy broke his own course record at Quail Hollow after a sensational display of shot-making backed up by another solid performance on the greens as he stormed to 18 under par, four clear of joint-overnight leader Webb Simpson.

The world No 1, who fired a closing 62 to claim his maiden PGA Tour title in this event in 2010, began with a pair of pars before igniting his challenge with birdies at the third and fifth holes.

But after a par at the sixth, he then put together a remarkable run of nine birdies in 10 holes to pull five clear of the field, and thoughts turned to the possibility of a magical 59 when he holed his 11th birdie putt of the day at 16.

However, the prospect of making three birdies over the Green Mile proved beyond him as his tee shot to the 180-yard 17th ignored instructions to draw in the air and settled 40 feet right of the target.

McIlroy safely two-putted for par, and he did well to scramble a par-four at the last after his drive finished barely a yard from the creek on the left of the fairway before his approach bounded past the pin and found the rear fringe.

However, his second consecutive bogey-free round was enough to earn McIlroy a commanding four-stroke advantage over Simpson, who stayed in touch with the runaway leader with birdies at five, seven and 13 before he drained a 20-foot putt for eagle at the 15th.

But Simpson's drive at the last found the creek on the left, although he limited the damage to a bogey-five with an excellent up-and-down from 60 feet as he signed for a 68.

Robert Streb, who shared the halfway lead with Simpson, endured an erratic day as five birdies and four bogeys added up to a 71 which left him seven behind McIlroy, while Brendan Steele (68) and Patrick Rodgers (70) are a further stroke adrift.

Justin Thomas had set the early clubhouse target at nine under after an entertaining 65 which included two eagles in three holes on the front nine, but Phil Mickelson failed to build on a bright start which raised the prospect of a final-day showdown with McIlroy.

The left-hander cruised to the turn in 32 and atoned for a bogey at 12 with a birdie at the 14th, but he carved his final drive into water and went on to run up an ugly triple-bogey seven which saw him plummet to eight under and out of the running.

5/16/2015

Rickie Hasn't Lost That Number

Rickie Fowler is looking forward to his trip to Ireland later this month and a head to head with Rory McIlroy in Royal County Down, a tournament he feels will be "special".

“I am looking forward so much to getting back to Royal County Down as every time I get to talk to Rory, he’s talking about how strong the field is going to be for the Irish Open,” said Fowler.

“But to be heading to the tournament later this month now as the Players Champion is going to be extra special.

“I left Royal County Down eight years ago as a young golfer unsure of where my career was headed. I was 18 and unsure what future lay ahead of me.

“So to be returning to Northern Ireland is not only special given what we managed to achieve back in ’07 but to now have won the Players, and to have had the support heading into the play-off from guys like Billy Horschel, who was one of my Royal County Down team-mates, means the world to me."

McIlroy's powers of persuasion have resulted in US Open champion Martin Kaymer, former world number one Luke Donald and American Ryder Cup star Patrick Reed in confirming their participation in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open.

McIlroy's foundation is hosting the event at Royal County Down from May 28-31 and the world number one has been a major influence in attracting a top-class field, who will compete for a prize fund of €2.5m an increase of 25pc from last year.

5/15/2015

McIlroy Shoots 67 at Quail

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Rory McIlroy’s finished his second round at the Wells Fargo Championship signing for a 67 on seven under par overall.

A poor pitch at the par 5 looked to have left him too much to do on the green but he rattled home from 30 feet - further proof that the work he did on his putting with Dave Stockton in the last few days is paying off.

On Friday the four-time major winner was in full flow and looked determined to take the tournament by the scruff of the neck going into the weekend.

When his drive at the 14th ran through the green 345 yards away minds were beginning to wander towards the possibility of the Northern Irishman breaking his own course record of 62 at the North Carolina resort.

However a sloppy chip left him with too much to do for birdie and an excellent chance of going three under par after five holes was squandered.

That missed opportunity perhaps played a part in McIlroy’s deceleration as he only managed one birdie in the next eight holes.

That trend was broken with a birdie at the fifth, his 14th, before another typically glorious drive was only stopped from crawling onto the green at the par 4 eighth by the front bunker.

From there a controlled splash shot to four feet was enough to claim another birdie before a par at the ninth saw him sign for a 67.

McIlroy’s round was somewhat less eventful than that of tournament leader Martin Flores.

The world number 248 finished third at Quail Hollow last year and this year’s performance is certainly appeasing the notion that certain golf courses just suit certain players.

Flores has missed four of his last six cuts but that poor form has been exorcised by the fairways and greens of Quail Hollow as eight birdies and three bogies eventually resulted in a 67 that catapulted him to the top of the leaderboard.

He is joined at the summit by American compatriot Patrick Rodgers who is eight under par with three holes to play.

Patrick Reed slipped back down the leaderboard during the second round, thanks to a two over par round of 74.

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