Irish Open: Who's hot and who's not heading in Royal County Down

Reigning champion Vincent Normann comes into his title defence on the back of a string of missed cuts on both sides of the Atlantic.

Thriston Lawrence during day two of the British Masters at The Belfry. Picture: Jacob King/PA Wire.

Who’s Hot 

Thriston Lawrence 

The South African, a four-time winner on the DP World Tour, lies second in the Race To Dubai rankings behind current leader Rory McIlroy and has climbed to number 61 in the Official Golf World Rankings this season on the back of five top-10 finishes, including runner-up at the British Masters two weeks ago. 

His fourth place at this year’s Open Championship at Royal Troon, three off the Champion Golfer Xander Schauffele thanks to closing rounds of 65 and 68, also suggests he has the game to tame the links at Royal County Down this weekend.

Frederic Lacroix 

Based purely on recent results, Lacroix fits the bill. The 29-year-old Frenchman is 15th in the Race To Dubai rankings and winner of the Danish Golf Championship on the DP World Tour just three weeks ago. That victory, his maiden title, came a week after a tie for third at the Czech Masters. 

Lacroix also started the season strongly, having graduated from the European Challenge Tour in 2023, with three consecutive top-five finishes in his second, third and fourth starts of 2024, in South Africa, the UAE and Bahrain.

Who’s Not?

Shane Lowry 

His best, most consistent season on the PGA Tour with more than £6m (€6.6m) in prize money, but despite his fine form, Lowry has effectively ruled himself out of the running for victory this Sunday after a tough nine holes of practice during the Pro-Am. 

The Irishman had famously won his national open as an amateur in 2009 but the back nine he completed on Wednesday was his first look at Royal County Down in nine years since the last staging in 2015 and tellingly he described the strong crosswinds and dodgy weather forecast as “a great leveller”.

Vincent Norrman 

What has happened to the 2023 Irish Open champion? The Swede landed the second victory of his professional career at The K Club 12 months ago when he claimed victory by a shot from Germany’s Hurly Long, coming from six shots off the lead after 54 holes. 

The follow-up season has been a different story though and Normann comes into his title defence on the back of a string of missed cuts on both sides of the Atlantic.