Lowry will start strong favourite

GOLF WEST OF IRELAND:IT MAY be somewhat overshadowed by events in Augusta this weekend, but the Radisson-Blue sponsored West of Ireland championship, which gets underway this morning in Rosses Point, has plenty of talking points of its own.

Indeed, just as Rory McIlroy treads the hallowed fairways of Augusta National for the first time in his professional career, the search for his successor as the star of Irish amateur golf will continue at Co Sligo Golf Club.

McIlroy won the West of Ireland title in 2005 and 2006 – becoming only the fifth man to defend the championship – and has frequently referred to the fact that Co Sligo was the making of him as a golfer. In the post-McIlroy era, however, the playing field has levelled somewhat, although Shane Lowry has emerged as the favourite to inherit McIlroy’s position as the leading man on the Irish amateur scene.

Winner of the West and North of Ireland championships in 2008, Lowry produced a raft of consistent performances, both for himself and for the successful Irish amateur teams at the European Championship and Home International Series. His results last year have put him right in the picture for a place on the Walker Cup side against the US this September.

One man who will be watching Lowry, and a number of other players, is 63-year-old Barry Reddan, who once again contests the championship, the scene of one of his most famous victories in 1978. Reddan has been appointed Leinster interprovincial captain for 2009, giving him an added interest in the outcome of this year’s competition. His verdict on the state of Irish amateur golf right now is a healthy one.

“Well obviously Shane had a great year last year,” he said. “He’s probably just that little bit ahead of the rest in terms of his international standing. With his position in the world amateur golf rankings he’ll be the favourite but there’s very little in it.

“To be fair to the GUI, there is a fantastic coaching structure in place. It’s really paid off in the last 10 years – there’s a great bunch out on tour now.”

In addition to Lowry, East of Ireland champion Eoin Arthurs and South of Ireland winner Niall Kearney are also in the field, two other players Reddan will be hoping to have at his disposal.

“I’m playing all right,” said the champion of 31 years ago of his prospects this weekend. “But in relation to the young lads that are playing now it’s a totally different game. I’ve a lot of old friends here and I enjoy coming over. But I’d still hope to make the matchplay stages – that would be the goal.”