Smyth keen to make amends on home turf

FORMER Ryder Cup players Eamonn Darcy and Des Smyth will hope to follow the example of Shane Lowry and provide a home winner when the pair tee up in the Irish Seniors Open in association with Fálite Ireland and AIB Bank next week.

Smyth came so close to landing his national Senior Open title last year when he finished runner up to Spaniard Juan Quiros, who produced a superb approach shot to birdie the last hole and capture the trophy by a stroke.

It meant Smyth missed out on his third European Senior Tour title but the man from Drogheda admits he is looking forward to trying again at Ballybunion.

Smyth will face stiff competition from a top class field including former Ryder Cup Captains Sam Torrance and Ian Woosnam but he feels the links course could prove to his advantage.

“If my game is on I’m happy playing anywhere but I’m quite comfortable on links – I’ve played a lot of my golf there but I have been struggling with my game lately.

“Last year I probably should have won it. The weather blew up terribly and I think it beat most people up. Juan played a fantastic shot on the last but I should have had it all sewn up by then. The weather beat me. It blew a hurricane.

“If my game is on I have every chance of winning. My driving and irons need to improve. I’ve not been happy with my game lately but Ballybunion would be a great place for it to all come together. I’m really looking forward to it.

“You always want to win your National Open most of all. I never managed it on The European Tour so hopefully I can do it on the Senior Tour.”

Meanwhile Darcy heads to Ballybunion buoyed by his fine performance in the Son Gual Mallorca Senior Open where he lost in a play-off to former Ryder Cup Captain Mark James on the third extra hole.

“I’d love to get a good run at it,” said Darcy. “It would be nice to go there and do well. It’s a good links course. I’m going to go a play some links golf there before it starts. I’ve played Ballybunion very little.

“The last time I played there Patrick Sjöland won the Irish Open there and that was a long time ago.”

Spectators attending the 13th edition of the Irish Seniors Open in association with Fáilte Ireland and AIB Bank can take advantage of a unique ticket offer with all season tickets priced at just €15.

There is also free parking at Ballybunion Golf Club, with the action starting at 8am on Friday June 5.