Eagles get the bald treatment

GOLF/Murphy's Irish Open: It seems that coiffeurs of the greenkeeping variety have taken what in barber parlance is known as a number one razor cut to the area around the 18th green at Fota Island, which hasn't entirely pleased every professional competing in the Murphy's Irish Open.

Instead of the lush rough of a year ago, it has taken on a rather bald appearance, with the result that any shot even slightly overhit is liable to run into the duck pond behind the putting area.

"Silly," is how Darren Clarke, one of a number of players to make their views known to tournament director David Probyn, described the new look.

Probyn says he was unaware of the plans to rid the surface of its rough edges and replace it with a smooth appearance until after the area was re-sodded, replacing rough with fairway grass, but insisted that it would not be a problem by the time the tournament starts tomorrow. "We can do all sorts of things," said Probyn, "we can even give it a David Beckham Mohican-style cut."

The 18th hole is a par five of 507 yards, which is not unduly long in terms of a modern golf course; and certainly not too long for a professional.

However, there is no doubt that the shaving of the area behind the green has added a new dimension to the finishing hole.

"I just find it a little disappointing, because it was such a great finishing hole last year," remarked Clarke, whose main concern was that it is impossible to actually place the ball on the slope, so tightly was it cut.

Yesterday, in practice, Clarke hit a five-wood approach that failed to hold the green and ran down the slope into a lateral water hazard, only to find that it was impossible to replace the ball.

However, Probyn said some "back brushing" would ensure that players who found the water would at least be able to place the ball under penalty on the grass without it rolling back down the slope into the water.

According to Jeff Howes, the course architect responsible for redesigning Fota Island and incorporating this new aspect to the finishing hole, the change was brought about after last year's statistics showed that the 18th had a tournament average of 4.54.

"I just felt that last year it played too easy. It's a downhill second shot and the choice is there to make. You can score three, four, five or six. It will bring a little more excitement."

Not all players were critical of the change. Padraig Harrington believes it is one of the only ways that course designers can increase the challenge for professionals.

"It's like this for only one week of the year, for professionals, and for the other 51 weeks they can let the grass grow higher for club players," said Harrington.

"The run-off should be tight for professional players. Maybe they have cut it a little too tight, and that is unfortunate, but it is something they can counteract in time for the tournament. I think the idea behind it is right. Look at the holes at Augusta - the 12th, 13th, 15th, 16th - where the grass is cut in a similar fashion."

"Anyway," added Harrington, "it will make for a bit of fun. It is an easy par five - if it was a long par four, and you were hitting a three-iron in, it would be different. As it is, you have the choice to lay up if that is what you want to do."

Harrington limited himself to nine practice holes yesterday, taking in the front nine; Clarke also contented himself with just nine holes, taking in the back nine.

Originally due to play a three-ball, Clarke ended up in a two-ball with Adam Scott after the intended third member, Graeme McDowell, got caught in traffic driving down from Dublin.

McDowell did eventually get to the course, and the recently turned professional is looking forward to the tournament.

"The next two weeks (Irish Open and European Open) are pretty special - and the Irish love golf, so the atmosphere should be really good," said McDowell, who finished his season at the University of Alabama as the number one ranked player on the two collegiate rankings.

The Portrush man (22), made his debut in the Great North Open in Slaley Hall last week, where he missed the cut. "I just couldn't get going and bogeyed three of the first four holes," he said.

However, he finished the last 27 holes in level par, and that is the form he hopes to bring to Fota.

"I would like to get the experience of playing in tournaments and hopefully make a few cuts," said McDowell, one of 18 Irish players - 16 professionals and two amateurs - endeavouring to become the first home winner of the national championship since John O'Leary in 20 years.