World golf has changed significantly in the two years since Pβdraig Harrington set up a debut appearance in the Ryder Cup by finishing runner-up to Costantino Rocca at Galway Bay. Such a development will be extremely unlikely when the £275,000 North West of Ireland Open returns to Slieve Russell on August 16th to 19th.
Essentially it has to do with the USPGA Championship, which runs against it at Atlanta Athletic Club, Georgia. When this, the last major championship of the season, was staged at Medinah two years ago, 24 members of the European Tour earned invitations - and obviously Harrington wasn't among them.
On this occasion, the European Tour representation is 38 and Harrington will be there, along with compatriots Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley. Not that it matters to the Stackstown player, as he had long since earned an automatic place in the European side.
What it comes down to is that, among the entries for Slieve Russell, the highest-placed player in the current Ryder Cup table is Scotland's Dean Robertson, in 21st position. And even with the 58,330 points which go to the winner, he would still be 200,000 points behind Paul McGinley, who continues to hold down the 10th and last automatic qualifying place.
So, improved standards on the European Tour leading to more players in the world top-100 is reducing the appeal of the Slieve Russell event in a Ryder Cup context. Still, the indications are of a strong field which will include the defending champion, Massimo Scarpa.
Other notable performances 12 months ago came from Sweden's Henrik Stenson, who set a course record 65 in the third round, which was equalled later in the day by Germany's Tobias Dier.
"I'm very glad that through Bord Fβilte's Sports Tourism Initiative, we have been able to provide substantial support for such an event at this attractive venue," said the Minister for Sport, Jim McDaid.
"The tournament plays a significant role in our aim to spread the benefits of tourism throughout the various regions of the country." Apart from Scarpa and Robertson, the field has strong contenders in England's David Howell, currently 26th in the Ryder Cup table, and Greg Owen, who is 29th. And among the sponsor's invitees will be Ireland's Francis Howley, Stephen Hamill, Damien McGrane and the resident professional, Liam McCool.
On recent form, however, main focus of attention from an Irish standpoint will be on Des Smyth, who captured the Smurfit Irish Professional title at Slieve Russell in 1996. Though he had to be content with a share of 42nd place in last year's North West, Smyth has since produced some sparkling form, notably in sharing 13th place behind David Duval in the British Open at Royal Lytham last month.
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