Nothing like a bit of homegrown success

At times the celebrities at Royal Portrush have made the Irish Open seem more like a red-carpet movie premiere than a golf tournament. But, if there is one thing the sell-out crowds have been desperate to see, it’s some homegrown success from tee to green.

Hollywood star Bill Murray may be hanging out in the clubhouse, but it is golf’s Holywood star Rory McIlroy who is the centre of attention, with or without his tennis pro girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki in tow around the famous Antrim links.

Then there is Portrush’s own Graeme McDowell who rescued his tournament from potential disaster yesterday and was rewarded with a hero’s reception as he and Pádraig Harrington strode up the18th towards home.

After a disappointing opening round, McDowell, watched every step of the way by girlfriend Kristin Stape, started his second round with two bogeys in his first three holes, sending him dangerously close to the dreaded halfway cut line and elimination.

McDowell turned it around, though, with four birdies in five holes around the turn.

“It’s been great and there’s definitely been a few cheers the last couple of days that have made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. There’s something a little extra special about this crowd because they really are pulling for all the Irish boys and that’s always a great feeling.”

There will be plenty of Irish boys to cheer on during the third and final rounds, when Harrington will lead a strong home contingent, also including Michael Hoey, Paul McGinley, McIlroy and Darren Clarke.