Rose could be thorn in side of Irish

THE bookmakers believe it’s going to be all about the home contingent at Killarney this week but there is so much talent in the 150-strong 3 Irish Open field that such a desirable outcome is not a certainty.

True, it is impossible not to regard Rory McIlroy, the clear 7/1 favourite, as a very likely champion with Graeme McDowell, Pádraig Harrington, Darren Clarke and holder Shane Lowry also among the hotly fancied competitors in the €3m event. But it would be equally misguided to overlook the chances of Justin Rose, the Englishman who has won twice on the USPGA Tour this year, or in-form Italian Francesco Molinari, to name but two.

There are those who fear the course will be torn apart due to the absence of any meaningful rough and the continuing calm weather. That may be the case and if conditions remain as they are, a total of 15 under par or even a couple of strokes better may be required to lift the first prize of €500,000 on Sunday.