Great expectations as McIlroy leads strong home challenge

On the eve of a new dawn for the Irish Open, the omens weren't particularly promising.

For much of the time, as the pro-am provided a taster, Slieve Donard was shrouded by clouds, rain doused the famous links here at Royal County Down; and players mischievously used words like "carnage" – in the case of Graeme McDowell – and "nightmare" – from both Rickie Fowler and Ernie Els – to describe potential outcomes should the weather add to the course's already severe examination.

As a certain gentleman who isn’t here might put it, “it is what it is”. For all, it will be a case of rolling up the sleeves, of playing clever and of staying calm.

For sure, this latest Irish Open – a championship first contested almost 90 years ago – will provide a rare old challenge as it enters this new era. Which is no bad thing, a great thing, in fact; for, in Rory McIlroy, the tournament has someone to champion it like no other time in its rich history. The world number one, in his own way, has provided a beacon of light and, if he can help it at all, nothing, not even the weather, will rain down on the party.

Prize money

McIlroy – as if he hasn’t already done enough in playing the role of host, yesterday doing a darn fine imitation of Phil Mickelson in signing autographs ’til his hands were sore – has even decided to donate all of his prize money back into the Rory Foundation, the charitable arm of the tournament. If there were any justice, and in an ideal world, he’d go out and add the title to his long and impressive CV of honours.

Yet, the quality of the field – and the demands of this course – means that nothing can be quite so straightforward. If McIlroy is to win, he’ll likely have to do it the hard way with a field that has a depth that hasn’t been seen since the tournament’s heydays of the 80s and 90s. The McIlroy factor has brought Fowler and Sergio Garcia – from the top-10 in the world rankings – to Newcastle, along with US Open champion Martin Kaymer and no fewer than 14 of the current top-50.

On a course which Jack Nicklaus once described as “pretty skittish” for its array of blind shots, yet one universally saluted as among the very finest on this earth, the challenge for players will be to plot their way around and keep their heads.

As McIlroy himself put it, “it will really reward a smart golfer. It’s like a game of chess out here, you’ve got to play to your positions and you’ve got to just plot your way along”.

The practice days have opened the eyes of all the players to the challenge, with the short seventh hole proving especially testing. “It’s one of the toughest short par threes I think I’ve ever played,” said McDowel, who warned of the dangers lurking for players.

“You can get some really, really bad lies in and around the faces of the bunkers . . . . it is about avoiding bunkers and placing shots on the correct sides of the greens and pace putting really well. Controlling your ball in the wind.”

Els, an honest broker, admitted the pro-am was not a whole lot of fun. “You’re thinking, ‘what the hell am I doing out here?’ . . . .the first round is going to be no problem because you just get on with it, the rain plus wind and the cold weather, it’s going to be tough.”

And yet there is an excitement in their voices, for this challenge is one that doesn’t come along every day. In a season where three of the four Majors will be played on links, or imitations of seaside courses, with Chambers Bay, St Andrews and Whistling Straits lying in wait in the coming weeks and months, this great old course will unearth its champion.

Home challenge

McIlroy heads the home challenge, which is considerable.

Shane Lowry

has arrived with momentum, on the back of a top-six finish in the BMW PGA at Wentworth and the know-how of playing links.

Pádraig Harrington’s damaged shoulder has mended, to the extent he was doing his Happy Gilmore impressions on the range yesterday. And McDowell, after a slow start to the season, and a lot of hard work, has got the appetite for battle.

“The guy who wins it here this week will have really played well. All facets of his game will have been working well,” said McDowell.

Will it be McIlroy? He is the bookies’ favourite, even if there was been something of a run on Lowry with the weather forecast only serving to add to the Offalyman’s appeal. Certainly, McIlroy is the name that is on everyone’s lips . . . . and not just for the manner of his hosting. Els, for one, predicted that the 26-year-old Northern Irishman over time will at least match Tiger Woods’s haul of 14 Majors.

“He’s been in a good place for over a year and when he’s in a space like that, he normally does quite well. He’s happy. He’s sound with a lot of things in his life and, if he keeps that up, the sky’s the limit. He can go 14-plus. In 20 years’ time, if he won ten in the next 20 years, I think he can do it. You’re going to have some downs here and there. He’s already gone through some stuff here and there where he’s grown up quickly . . . . I think he can win more than 14,” said Els of the gifted Irishman.

This is not a Major. But there is something special afoot, and this Irish Open – with a new title sponsor in Dubai Duty Free – is something worth winning.