Great to see some new Irish challengers

THE Irish Open has long been considered one of the great championships in the game of professional golf.

For so long it was supported by legends of the game all keen to secure the status of champion, all keen to challenge their skills against some of the very best golf courses in the world.

Sadly today we can no longer count on the regular participation of many of the world’s best golfers such is the nature of player commitments and scheduling, but what the Irish Open can count on each year is the unquestionable commitment of its own home grown talent, four of whom are Major champions, all mad keen to win their own national title.

So yesterday it was the Irish players versus the rest of the field as well as the Irish versus themselves. For sure the Irish Open title was the most coveted prize, but so too was the title of leading Irish player. Bragging rights were at stake.

The Irish participants are well acquainted with the Montgomerie course at Carton House. It is a strong, well-conditioned course which favours local knowledge and one which demands good shot-making, patience and a great short game. It is a venue which especially suits the skill sets of local member and former Irish Open champion, Shane Lowry.

Yesterday, Lowry demonstrated all his undoubted talent when producing an effortless round of five under par 67, in front of his good pal, the struggling Rory McIlroy. Lowry’s performance smacked of pure class, so much so that one has to wonder why Lowry hasn’t produced these types of performances more often.

Since winning the Irish Open as an amateur, Lowry has carved out a good living for himself on the European Tour but to date he has just one professional victory to his name. While undoubtedly taking time to fully learn his trade, his potential suggests that he is more than capable of becoming a regular winner on the European Tour, even a major champion, but he must push on.

The very same can be said for Michael Hoey. Yesterday he played with former Ryder Cup Captain and two time major champion Jose Maria Olazabal, who could only have been impressed by what he witnessed from the Irishman. Accurate off the tee, he demonstrated effortless power when required as well as a range of short game skills that the little maestro himself would have been proud of.

Quiet by nature, Hoey prefers to let his clubs do his talking, but I see no reason why he can’t become a more prolific winner on tour, nor why both he and Lowry can’t push for inclusion in Paul McGinley’s Ryder Cup team next year.

On a day when there were so many good Irish performances, it was especially refreshing not to have to rely on the usuals of Harrington, McDowell and McIlroy to carry the Irish flag.

Only time will tell if this year’s Irish Open will produce another home champion but what we do know is that none of those in the hunt lack the desire or ambition.