The Irish Golf Club Gazette

6/07/2013

Royal Portrush Not Open

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Tournament organisers have moved quickly to deny a report that Royal Portrush has been selected to host the 2018 Open Championship.

A story in the Irish Sun on Friday claimed that the Royal & Ancient Golf Club had been persuaded to return the Open to Portrush for the first time in 67 years, following lobbying from major champions Rory MclIroy, Graeme McDowell and Darren Clarke.

The storied course's successful hosting of last year's Irish Open, where more than 100,000 spectators passed through the gates despite difficult weather conditions, also convinced the Open's organising committee that the course has the infrastructure to host golf's most storied tournament.

However, the R&A moved quickly to dispel the report, saying in a statement: "There is nothing in it."

Royal Portrush has also distanced itself from the rumours, with club tournament committee chairman John Bamber saying the Sun had got "slightly ahead of itself".

"It's an absolute no at this point in time," Bamber told BBC Radio Ulster. "We're delighted to continue any engagement - I know that certainly government ... have been very helpful in looking at the possibilities for such an event, but at the same time there is no announcement that we would be in a position to make at this point in time."

Portrush would love to host the Open in the near future, but Bamber confirmed more hurdles need to be overcome before a final decision can be made.

Bamber added: "It is an aspiration that many have, but at the same time there is a phenomenal build-up time to these (events), to have the infrastructure, to have the requirements in place and that's really how these events can come to bear."

Royal Portrush is the only course outside England and Scotland to have hosted the Open - Max Faulkner winning the Claret Jug by two shots back in 1951.

6/05/2013

Clarke Tips GMAC US Repeat

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Darren Clarke is tipping his fellow Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell to launch a serious challenge for a second US Open triumph at Merion next week.

Former Open champion Clarke believes the Pennsylvania venue is ideal for McDowell, who won the title at Pebble Beach three years ago.

"With the course being a little bit shorter, it will suit G-Mac down to the ground," said Clarke.

"Merion gives him a fantastic chance to add a second US Open to his CV."

Clarke said McDowell, currently ranked seventh in the world, would be really looking forward to the 13-16 June event, the second major of the season.

"He has won a couple of times this season, at Hilton Head and then in Bulgaria a few weeks ago, so he is obviously playing really well.

"G-Mac can get it out there but he is not one of the big bombers so a shorter course suits him."

Clarke is hoping his own game clicks into place as he aims to make up for missing the Masters because of a hamstring injury.

"I am not competitively sharp, but I am working hard," said Clarke, who last played in the US Open in 2009.

"I am swinging the club well but am just not back into scoring mode.

"The US Open is the toughest test, they do not give you any margin for error at all. With the rough as thick as it is."

Clarke also predicted that world number two and 2011 US Open winner Rory McIlroy would soon be challenging for major honours again after his well-publicised change of sponsor and recent dip in form.

"Changing equipment is always tough, getting used to new clubs and balls," added Clarke.

"But he has so much talent and it will not be long before he is back up there."

Kevin Phelan Majors in USA

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Kevin Phelan will compete at the US Open next week after securing his place in the major by winning the Sectional qualifying event in Florida.

Rounds of 65 and 70 saw Phelan finish on nine-under at the Ritz-Carlton in Bradenton, one stroke ahead of his closest challenger, American John Hahn.

“Patience really helped me today,” a delighted Phelan, who relocated to the United States with his family from Waterford a decade ago, told golfweek.com.

“It’s a tough finish; it’s easy to make bogeys coming in. (You) just have to stay patient.”

Phelan’s triumph at the Ritz-Carlton came on the back of disappointment. His collegiate career came to an end last week, when his North Florida missed out on securing match-play action at the NCAA Championship.

“It was definitely extremely disappointing to miss out on match play; we played really well all year,” said Phelan, who has a year left to complete in his psychology degree.

“It was a great atmosphere for the team. (But) we learn from the bad moments. We learn from the triumphs. You learn from everything.”

The 22-year-old has featured at the US Open previously, back in 2010. However, rounds of 83 and 75 saw him miss the cut.

6/04/2013

Harrington in Tennessee Waltz

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Padraig Harrington is the only Irish entry at this week's St. Jude Classic, which will feature five of the PGA TOUR’s current Top 10 money winners and four of the Top 8 players in all-important FedExCup points.

Among the top names are World Golf Hall of Fame member and gallery favourite Phil Mickelson and Tennessee favourite son Brandt Snedeker of Nashville along with defending champion Dustin Johnson.

The field will include winners of 11 TOUR events this year and 26 winners since the start of the 2012 season.

Snedeker, a former Vanderbilt star who grew up in Nashville, currently ranks second in FedExCup standings, second in TOUR earnings for this year, and fifth in the World Golf Rankings. Snedeker is the reigning FedEx Cup champion.

Mickelson, a four-time winner of major championships including three Masters Tournaments, is ranked 11th in the world and seventh in both FedExCup points and TOUR money for 2013.

Among other players joining Padraig at the $5.7 million are Ian Poulter of England; recent U. S. Ryder Cup captain Davis Love III; and two-time major championship winner John Daly.

The 72-hole championship will start Thursday and end on Sunday with the traditional Seersucker Sunday celebration.

“We made a concerted effort this year to beef up our field as related to the Top 50 players in the world,” tournament director Phil Cannon said. “We had our eye on three players in that category for some time for sponsor’s exemptions, but only one was available to play next week – George Coetzee (No. 54).

“We were very pleased to be able to invite Shaun Micheel and David Duval, both winners of major championships. Plus, we have a great group of distinguished amateurs with the young phenom from China, and the two standout youngsters from the United States.

“Two spots remain available and we’ll be watching several options in the next few days, including the results of the NCAA Championship in Atlanta.”

McIlroy Under Stockton's Wing

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Rory McIlroy is off to Merion for two US Open practice rounds this week after a talk with coach Dave Stockton to try to help his golf game before next week's major showdown.

The 24-year-old Northern Irishman, who won his first major title at the 2011 US Open, spoke on Monday at Oak Hill, where he will defend his most recent top-tier triumph at the 95th PGA Championship in August.

"It is the strongest field in golf and it's great to be able to come out on top in a field like that," said McIlroy, who won last year's PGA crown at Kiawah Island.

McIlroy will play Tuesday and Wednesday practice rounds at Merion as he tries to finetune a game that has produced four top-10 showings in US PGA events, including a second at the Texas Open, but only a share of 25th at the Masters and 57th last week at the Memorial.

"I'm playing pretty well. I need it all to click into place and, once I do that, I'll be off and running," McIlroy said. "All parts of my game are there. I just need to sort of put them all together for one week.

"I'm hoping that my sort of trend in the US Open continues, because I went miss cut, win, missed the cut, so hopefully I can win again."

McIlroy spent time with coach Dave Stockton at Memorial last week.

"Dave Stockton was at Memorial for a couple of days, trying to get me to hole some more putts," McIlroy said.

"The ball striking has not really been an issue this year. I've actually hit the ball pretty well from tee to green, and I've given myself a lot of opportunities, but didn't take as many as I should have.

"If I keep hitting the ball the way I know I can and hole putts, I'll hopefully be in the winner's circle."

McIlroy fired a three-under par 67 at Oak Hill on Monday in his first tour of the layout designed by Donald Ross in 1925.

"It's not overly long by today's standards but you have to drive the ball very well. It gives you opportunities to score, but you've got some holes coming in that are very tough."

McIlroy said the course could surrender its lowest score in a major event, breaking the six-under-par total for 72 holes fired by Jack Nicklaus in the 1980 PGA Championship at Oak Hill.