Patience will be greatest virtue

The buzz around the media centre yesterday left you in no doubt as to the status of the Irish Open, with a who’s who of golf gracing the interview room in quick succession.

Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell, Sergio Garcia, Rickie Fowler and company spoke in unison - stressing they were delighted to be here and relishing a chance at playing Royal Co Down’s challenging test.

Soundbites aside they will undoubtedly have noted the weather forecast for the first couple of tournament days – the winds, the plunge in temperatures and the scattered showers which will make for a serious examination of every player’s arsenal.