Golf and racing combine for Double Ticket special on one of the great days of sport
It begins with the potentially decisive second rugby Test between Australia and the British & Irish Lions in Melbourne before golfing fans converge on the Montgomerie Course at Carton House, Co Kildare, to watch local heroes Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell, Padraig Harrington, Darren Clarke, Shane Lowry etc compete in the third round of the Irish Open.
The plan is to finish the golfing activity in good time to allow fans travel twenty minutes or so down the road to the Curragh for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby. To make “doubling up” on two of the highest profile sporting events of the year in Irish sport even more attractive, the world of horse racing and professional golf has come together to offer a “Double Ticket” incentive at a cost of €50.
The bookmakers are already laying odds on an Irish Open-Derby double.
Kingsbarns, the current Derby favourite, and Rory McIlroy are on offer at 20 to 1 followed by Kingsbarns and Padraig Harrington, 33 to 1 and Kingsbarns and Shane Lowry, 80 to 1.
The initiative was launched at the Curragh on Sunday when the Irish Open Alleged Stakes was sponsored by the European Tour and won by Kevin Manning’s mount Parish Hall.
To add another touch of fun and excitement, the Carton House facilities will open from 7. 30am on the day in order to allow early arrivals a hearty “Lions Breakfast” and watch the Test match (kick-off 10am) live on the big screen in the tented village. It is also intended to finish the golf a little earlier than usual to facilitate the race goers so that, all in all, everything is clearly in hand to ensure an outstanding day’s sport.
