Irish Open 2010 Third Round Highlights

Ross Fisher leads the Irish Open 2010 after the third round but not by as many shots as looked likely.  Fisher got off to a flyer with four birdies in his first seven holes but a double and two bogeys brought him back to 12 under.

Fisher is one shot clear of our Tuesday’s “Hot on the Range” pick Chris Wood who carded a 66 alongside an increasingly dejected Rory McIlroy who ended the day on 2 under after a 76.  Francesco Molinari is also just one behind Fisher and still looks dangerous.

Padraig Harrington is just three back on 9 under.  He pulled his drive into the hazard on 18 and a after a drop out and long iron to the green he produced one of the highlights of this year’s Irish Open by draining a 30 footer for par.  His playing partner Gonzo Castano took double on the hole to finish 10 under and though down, he like Harrington, is certainly not out.   Pic: Padraig before his third round with some rubber tubing attached to his knee. Apparently it help ensure nobody nicks any of his clubs!

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  Irish Open 2010 third round highlights

Bendy Rules at the Irish Open 2010

Is there a bit of slacking going on with the rules officials or were they busy doing doughnuts in their buggies, because yesterday Padraig Harrington was kept waiting 15 minutes for a ruling on the 17^th. His partners had actually played the hole out before the rules official arrived. Also I came across an early morning player (high on the leaderboard) giving himself a drop off a walkway. No problem there. However the player in question measured his club length without taking off the headcover. I later asked a rules official (no names mentioned of course) was it a penalty? He told me it would be advisable for the player to take the headcover off, but it wasn’t a problem. So its okay to grab 6 inches extra to get an uphill lie next Sunday in the club championship?  Sounds dodgy at best ref. Hardly decisive. He must have gone to the Martin Hansson school of refereeing.

Irish Open 2010 Second Round Highlights

Pasta Watch: Molinari V Molinari

Francesco Molinari canned his first ever five footer (it seems) this evening to climb to 9 under and into sole second behind Ross Fisher at the halfway stage of the Irish Open.  Mama’s gonna be so prouda!

Number Of The Day: 9

That’s the number of lives Padraig Harrington had as time and again he got himself out of trouble yesterday. The most exciting Houdini act came on 17 when Paddy sliced it into the ferns, looked at it for 15 minutes, hacked it out, pitched it up and chipped it in to raise yet another massive roar from the crowd.

Cambo Watch:

The wait for a second made cut to add to his Open de France weekend will have to continue for former Irish Open winner Michael Campbell.  Positioned at one over after his opening round and playing in the best of the Friday conditions, Cambo drove it as crooked as a New Delhi taxi driver as he racked up the blue numbers.  France was his only weekend worked since October 2009.

Fact Of The Day:

The Killeen course in Killarney has staged the Irish Open on two previous ocassions, both won by Nick Faldo in 1991 and 1992. Halfway leader Ross Fisher cites Faldo as his role model.

Amateur Dramatics:

The chances of having another amateur winner of the Irish Open this year have gone after the second round. Limerick’s Pat Murray just “woke up without a swing” this week after a hectic South of Ireland championship last week and was joined by Alan Dunbar and Cian Curley south of the cut line. Paul Cutler kept interest before slipping back around the turn to also miss out.

Hot On The Range: Ross Fisher

- The last time I saw Ross Fisher hit the ball this well was on the range at the 2008 European Open in the London Club. On that occasion “Fish” won by seven strokes. The greens in Killarney suit the Surrey man too and he’s enjoying being able to have a crack at his birdies putts for a change. He may even do an “Oosthuizen” and be out of sight come Sunday.

Rory Watch:

“Drive her like she’s stolen”, was the cry to Rory McIlroy as he jumped into his black 198 mph, Audi R8 V10 juice guzzler. Ror’s jammer has had a taste of the high life in Killarney this week, posing for pictures in the car park and just being downright gorgeous. Better not tell John Gormley though, he might wallop a carbon tax on Kilarney for the weekend.

Quote’s Of The Day:

“I had to stand there and watch chip-ins and bombs”, “I got a lesson these last two days on how to get up and down.” GMac discussing Padraig Harrington’s sometimes miracle escapes.

 

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Rory McIlroy’s Swing in Konica Minolta Swing Vision Style Slow Motion at the 3 Irish Open

Rory McIlroy’s Swing in Konica Minolta Swing Vision Style Slow Motion at the 3 Irish Open

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David Howell Leads Irish Open on Seven Under

The caddies on the range say to watch the player who has a new caddy on his bag.  There’s something about that fresh relationship that yields fruit.  And so it turned out for David Howell team up with caddy John Mulrooney to shot an opening round of 64 to lead in the clubhouse on 7 under. Its been a tough number of years for the former Ryder cupper but he’s excited about his swing now being “better than it was in 2007”.

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Robert Rock Disqualified From Irish Open 2010

In a case of extreme hard luck  Robert Rock has been disqualified from the Irish Open in Killarney.  Rock’s “immoveable object” image at the Irish Open was set to continue when he compiled an opening round of 65. Rock who had been surrounded in alignment rods as he struggled with his swing on the practice range, chipped and putted like a magician. However, as I understand it, it was discovered after the round that Rock’s score on 14 and 15 had been entered in the wrong order and he was disqualified.  Pic: A happy Rock in the media room after his 65, minutes before he learned of being DQ’d

 

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Richard Green The Morning Man at The Irish Open

Richard Green leads after the morning session of the first round of the Irish Open.  The Aussie shot 65 and afterwards praised the “old style” nature of the Killarney course.  “Here and the Emirates in Dubai are the only two courses of this type” said Green.  “Its a shot makers course and it feels very much like the course (Huntingdale in Australia) I grew up on”.  Until last week Green had been struggling with his driving, but after a phonecall to a friend in the UK from Sweden, Green was re-acquainted with his old driver at midnight on the Wednesday.  That seemed to do the trick and a confident Green is excited about his prospects this week.

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Wednesday at The Irish Open 2010 in Killarney

Number of the Day 58

It’s what everybody is talking about on the range. The par on the Killeen course is 71 and if the weather stays fine, it may just be on. Five players have shot 62 this year on the tour including Rhys Davies, who’s in the field this week.

Rose Tinted Glasses

Just what has enticed Justin Rose back to the Irish Open for the first time since 2002? According to the Englishman “it’s the date, the venue, the vibe, the crowd and the world ranking points”. What about the dough Justin? Don’t you know it’s the only event on Tour where you can come second and still make off with all the loot!

Fact Of The Day

The oldest winner of the Irish Open was Sam Torrance who was aged 41 years and 319 days when he won in Mount Juliet in 1995

Hot On The Range

He has the physique of a second row but Englishman Chris Wood’s swing is “right in the slot” in the lead up this weeks event.

The European Vijay

Italian Francesco Molinari was burning the midnight (well late evening) oil on the practice green in Killarney. With brother Eduardo putting some daylight between them in the Race To Dubai, Francesco must getting a roasting when the family sit down to Mama’s pasta.

Celeb Spot

Fourteen year old local lad Peter McEnery became a pro for the day as part of the Make A Wish foundation. Peter got to play with Padraig Harrington, and says he has arranged to take him on in a chipping competition later in the week! When asked what was the highlight of his day Peter replied “watching my Dad carry my bag!”

Rory Watch

  It seems the entourage around Rors is growing with every passing day. On the range today his handlers and management were assembled around him like All Blacks doing the Haka.  Pic: Guess Who?

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Beaufort Lads Spotting The Pros at The Irish Open 2010

Brendan Cronin, Keith Moloney and Ryan Sweeney trying to bag themselves a few free pro-V1’s at the 3 Irish Open 2010.

Pro’s Loving Malcolm Clark’s KBS Shafts on The European Tour Range

Pretty much all the tour players are tied into club contracts but when it comes to shafts, every player is free to choose the ones he feels suit best. On the range at the Irish Open, there appears to be an overwhelming move from away from Project X towards KBS shafts in irons and players such as Peter Lawrie are using a KBS prototype in his driver. The shaft takes its name from its inventor Kim Braly and came onto the scene about three years ago. Since then it has grown into a worthy rival to Project X with stars such as Ernie Els gaming them to victory this year.  After all Braly is the original inventor of the Rifle, Rifle Flighted and Project X shafts even if they were wrestled from his hands by the manufacturers who finally wielded them against him.

Its seems Braly may have the last laugh though as every major club manufacturer (except Nike) has made KBS shafts an option in their product line. They also are the stock shaft of Taylormade R9 irons.

KBS supremo on the European Tour Malcolm Clark is an extremely busy man with tour pro’s clamouring to get fitted up on the range. According to Malcolm, the KBS shaft feels slightly softer in the strike than the Project X without actually being so. However the real advantage of KBS are that they are “frequency matched”. In a set of irons, the frequency reading of the shafts (measured by clamping the grip end in a special device and twanging it) in the clubs will normally increase from longest to shortest club in the set. In KBS shafts that the increment of frequency increase from longest to shortest clubs in the set will be exactly the same from club to club.

Will the winner of the Irish Open be a KBS man? Whatever happens it’s a huge success story from a man who never spent one cent on advertising.

Peter Lawrie’s KBS Driver Shaft

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Irish Open Betting Tips

Betting Preview: Irish Open

Rory McIlroy 8/1

Proved his Quail Hollow 62 was no flash in the pan with a stunning Tghursday 63 at St. Andrews. Perhaps a more experienced McIlroy would have hung on in there on Open Friday but his tied third finish was overall a satisfactory result. Fourth in France before the Open, Rory plays well on courses where accurate iron play is rewarded. Killarney may just suit him down to the ground and Rors is sure to have the following of the home support.

Robert Rock 50/1

Rock’s seventh place finish at The Open brought to four his top ten haul since the beginning of June and though he ran out of steam last week in Sweden missing the cut, he remains one to watch this week. Rock bagged all the swag last year though he lost the playoff with Shane Lowry and always seems to be there or there abouts in Irish events. Expect to see lots of caddy Jamie Lane painstakingly lining his putts again this week. So close in Estoril and Celtic Manor recently, a win may not be far away.

Justin Rose  15/1

The last time Rose played in Ireland, he had barely two hours sleep before he teed it up. That JP pro-am appearance was his last before missing the cut at the Open but expect a refreshed and focussed Rose to show at Killarney this week. Winner of The Memorial and the AT&T National Stateside, a win this week would cement Rose’s place in Monty’s European Team for Celtic Manor. Rose hasn’t played the Irish Open since 2002 and he’s not popping in this time to make up the numbers.

 

 

 

Jamie Donaldson 66/1

I was very impressed by Jamie Donaldson’s final round of 68 in Sweden last week. His tied eighth finish ended a run of three straight missed cuts for the Welshman and he heads to Killarney with renewed confidence. Indeed it was that very attribute that brought Donaldson on a run five top tens in six events from the end of March to the end of May. The SAS Masters in Sweden had the August bank holiday slot in the 2009 season and Donaldson finished second, so if you’re a believer that a golfers form goes in annual cycles, stick a fiver each way on Jamie.

 

Brett Rumford 100/1

Aussie Brett Rumford showed some serious bouncebackability tying fourth at the Scandinavian Masters last weekend after being disqualified at the Scottish Open. Rumford took a bogey four on the short 17th in his second round, but a three was put on his card by playing partner Sam Little, who was marking it. The 32-year-old from Perth made the cut with one shot to spare, only to be ejected shortly after. The 2004 Irish Open winner may not be the most consistent player week in week out but second and third places in Qatar and South Korea this season, proves he still has game.

Best Of The Rest

Peter Lawrie 66/1 missed the cut last week but remains one of the most consistent players on Tour. If ever he had a chance to add to his 2008 Open de Espana win, the more manageable Killen track may just provide it. Spain’s Alejandro Canizares 50/1 makes his first appearance since his final round 77 dropped him down the leaderboard at the Open having had a super tournament up to that. I’ve been impressed by Canizares since his Iberian second and third in May and he continued his form tying second at Paris National.

Irish Open 2010 Betting Tips

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Lynn McCool On The Lough Erne Challenge and Upcoming Pro-Am

Hi Everyone. Just a note to let you all know about the Ulster PGA Pro Am to take place on The Faldo Course in Lough Erne Resort on Tuesday August 3rd.  The format is a team of three to join one of Irelands PGA Professionals.  We have had a successful entry this year and have decided to create a few more slots. If your in Ireland or visiting Ireland during this time and wish to play in this event at The Lough then contact Karen Bogue on 028 66 345766 or email kbogue@loughernegolfresort.com to find out further information.
TIS ALL HAPPENING AT THE LOUGH!!

Last week we had the second annual Lough Erne Challenge. 

More than 3,000 spectators turned out to watch Challenge between Lough Erne’s 21 year old touring professional Rory McIlroy and Ryder Cup Star Darren Clarke against three time major winner Padraig Harrington and former Irish Open Champion Shane Lowry over the Championship Faldo Course this week.

The new format of Northern Ireland V Republic of Ireland proved to be a close fought match with McIlroy and Clarke claiming victory by a single shot 66 to 67 in this prestigious 18 hole betterball strokeplay event.

This was the second time Ireland’s world class players had competed in a professional event in Northern Ireland and it was World No. 7 McIlroy who got off to a flying start with three early birdies giving the homeside a three shot lead after just five holes.

Undettered the Republic of Ireland team fought on with Harrington birding the short 13^th tying the scores on four under par. However, McIlroy struck the decisive blow with a birdie at the par three 15^th to edge the North in front again and that proved enough for victory.

This was McIlroy’s second successive victory in the challenge and following the round he said”: It was quite nice that we got off to a good start but they played some good golf and came back at us and we were lucky to hold on at the end.”

Darren Clarke was full of praise for the course despite the difficult conditions.

“I thought the course was brilliant. It was in sensational condition. The greens were as good as I’ve putted on all year.This golf course would make a sensational tournament venue.”

Padraig Harrington was equally full of praise for the Faldo Course and commented:

“I think the crowds would be phenomenal up here, you would like to see an Irish Open come here. The pros would love it and it would be a great event.”

 

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Okay okay Langer Won The Battle But Not The War

 with guest reporter and US PGA consultant Comical Ali.

Yes yes your man Langer may have won the Senior Open at Carnoustie but it took him 13 attempts to do it.  My man Corey “the Puma” Pavin was competing in his first and such is the tradition that must be upheld, he allowed Langer to win by one stroke.  This means of course that Pavin will now follow victory in every other major he plays in.  It is written I tell you.

Isn’t It Ironic? Lance Ten Broeck Misses Out on Johnson Fortune

In the irony to beat all ironies Scandinavian Masters winner Richard S. Johnson’s regular caddy Lance Ten Broeck took the week off to try to earn a decent paycheck at the Senior’s British Open in Carnoustie. He missed the cut and went home with a cheque for €1230, missing out on a payday of over €40,000 if he had lugged his man’s bag in Sweden.  Ouch, Alanis Morrissette eat your heart out.

Pic: Lance Ten Broeck with former employer Jesper Parnevik.  Didnt have much lick with him either!

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