Irish Open 2015 at Royal County Down

John Divney

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

I've played it - a couple of lads on here have had rounds in 70s.

But the tees here are a bit different. (very)

It is exactly how we are seeing and greens are very very hard - very hard to hold even with great shots.

I don't think you get a sense of the dunes on tv here - also the bunkers and surrounds are a sure double at best

See Mcdowell there from below green using putter - that is the sort of stuff to be at.

Some blind shots into greens you cannot judge, whoever shot in the 70's, wow, some going.

It's an amazing course for the East Coast, massive Dunes that far in, plus the gorse you get on the rest of the east coast links.

One thing I'd say the rough is not as bad as the flatter links at the moment, although the course would be unplayable if it was lol

AGC

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

He deserved Ryder Cup job.

Nailed on for when it is in France surely

FixdePitchmark

Lads it is a must play. No doubt. Crazy money , but a must play. Full of Yanks with more money than sense.

A harsh aspect is the growth past bunkers , you can go into a bunker and at least get out. But just on lip and you are in a combination of long 2 to 3 feet links grass and a flower thick growth.

Looks amazing - but very very harsh as hazards go.

FixdePitchmark

terrible to say this - has Rory given up ?

John Divney

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

terrible to say this - has Rory given up ?

I think his swing is in trouble to be honest, he's not playing his golf, and isn't releasing the club fully, it's clipped and forced, and everything going right.

FixdePitchmark

Yes he is open champion - good point by Gary Murphy.

The hazard of bad thinking that Rory not use to links golf or something

John Divney

Well that's just terrible lol

rodge68

Looking at Rory makes me feel not so bad about my own golf at the moment..
Crowd trying to get him going !!

Golfgorfield

Ah lads give it up.

Hes played 5 weeks in a row, 4 of which in america, hes running this tournament, up to his eyes with media and other commitments all week, add in jetlag, cold, wet, windy conditions.

World number 1, 4 time major champion, he owes us nothing.

FixdePitchmark

John Divney wrote: »

I think his swing is in trouble to be honest, he's not playing his golf, and isn't releasing the club fully, it's clipped and forced, and everything going right.

I think he is just playing ball low for week.

Not working today - as you said going right,

AGC

Has Luke Donald dropped so much he hasn't qualified for the Open yet?

FixdePitchmark

AGC wrote: »

Has Luke Donald dropped so much he hasn't qualified for the Open yet?

Noticed he has no Jug next to him - was a bit :eek:

the groutch

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

I know we are bored of it.

But Jimenez is a class act and golfer - the lifestyle stuff is a distraction that undermines him as a player.

He deserved Ryder Cup job.

51 years old and still in the top 50 in the world, that's some going.

FixdePitchmark

Looks nice weather now.

fullstop

Golfgorfield wrote: »

Ah lads give it up.

Hes played 5 weeks in a row, 4 of which in america, hes running this tournament, up to his eyes with media and other commitments all week, add in jetlag, cold, wet, windy conditions.

World number 1, 4 time major champion, he owes us nothing.

Don't think anyone said he did? He's the world number 1 so it's only natural people are going to talk about it if he's +7.

FixdePitchmark

fullstop wrote: »

Don't think anyone said he did? He's the world number 1 so it's only natural people are going to talk about him if he's +7.

Agree all his commitments (we don't know) - look they they have caught up with him.

But no matter what - he should be able to make cut.

Synode

McGinley going well

John Divney

Oh God the weather at the wrong time

Panrich

Golfgorfield wrote: »

Ah lads give it up.

Hes played 5 weeks in a row, 4 of which in america, hes running this tournament, up to his eyes with media and other commitments all week, add in jetlag, cold, wet, windy conditions.

World number 1, 4 time major champion, he owes us nothing.

For whatever reason, he has never performed to his potential in the Irish open. It must frustrate him as well as all those who want to see him do well. In fact, he is looking at his third failed cut at the event in a row. Considering that he is hosting the event this year puts extra pressure on him, the tournament timing is unfortunate. May is a busy golfing Month for him.
The media events are something that he might need to juggle a bit better despite the pressures. I heard him talking in his interview after Wells Fargo how he was flying straight to London and would be doing some media stuff tomorrow (the Monday). I though that was ridiculous scheduling after such a long flight and a tournament week starting on the Wednesday again.

stevensi

Make why you'd ever want to play golf in Ireland...it's almost June for God's sake

John Divney

Lol the other fairway, what an unplayable hole

fullstop

Haha, these lads wouldn't last 2 minutes in the winter links alliance!

FixdePitchmark

fullstop wrote: »

Haha, these lads wouldn't last 2 minutes in the winter links alliance!

Lol - was just watching going, looks grand out there - I play in worse (50 %) of my life

FixdePitchmark

John Divney wrote: »

Lol the other fairway, what an unplayable hole

Class hole.

John Divney

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

Class hole.

Looks fine now :eek:

That was some bit of weather

FixdePitchmark

Rickie - was never a fan (of his early stuff) , but hard not to like him.

CONSI

Whatever else Rory has on this week he shouldnt be +8....

one man clappin

God, poor Rory and Martin are playing army golf at the moment.

Speak Now

John Divney wrote: »

These mega star groups seem to backfire a lot.

I feel sorry for Rickie being sent out with 2 hackers

AGC

hefferboi wrote: »

Lads, not a big follower of golf at all but Rory is 66/1 to win at the moment, is he going that bad that he won't recover?

Not a hope. Unless cut is +4 or +5 he won't even make that

yipsnomore

I must say I really love links golf myself and I love seeing the players having to adapt today. It goes to show how dependent many players are on grooving their swing for courses and conditions on tour that are generally very similar most of the time. When it changes they begin to look a tiny bit closer to the mere mortals.

fullstop

hefferboi wrote: »

Lads, not a big follower of golf at all but Rory is 66/1 to win at the moment, is he going that bad that he won't recover?

Before you get told off for betting talk, yes. There's not a hope in hell he wins it, be severely lucky to make the cut

benny79

Jesus looks like Rory is going to be out after day 1! +8 now too more pressure and he desperately wants to win his home open!

He is human after all needs at least 1 bird to finish on a high at least, going to be a long evening for him in the range I'd say!

hefferboi

fullstop wrote: »

Before you get told off for betting talk, yes. There's not a hope in hell he wins it, be severely lucky to make the cut

Sh1t sorry, didn't know about the betting talk. Cheers lads.

Tom.D.BJJ

This might give us a good indication of who to bet on for the US Open..

Also, Michael Hoey's card after 15 holes played. Two birdies, no bogeys. Very nice.

FixdePitchmark

benny79 wrote: »

Jesus looks like Rory is going to be out after day 1! +8 now too more pressure and he desperately wants to win his home open!

He is human after all needs at least 1 bird to finish on a high at least, going to be a long evening for him in the range I'd say!

I thnk he would be better off - going to him mam's house for food away from it all.

Come back in am - be himself play golf and let the wind do the work.

A 68 to follow. But sadly may not be enough.

FixdePitchmark

Tom.D.BJJ wrote: »

This might give us a good indication of who to bet on for the US Open..

Also, Michael Hoey's card after 15 holes played. Two birdies, no bogeys. Very nice.

Don't think so - this not a time or place to get an indication of much.

tobsey

Coverage on Sky and RTE seems to break from 1pm to 4pm. Is it being shown anywhere during that time?

Tom.D.BJJ

Tom.D.BJJ wrote: »

Also, Michael Hoey's card after 15 holes played. Two birdies, no bogeys. Very nice.

Kiss of death :eek:

DB on his sixteenth hole

Panrich

tobsey wrote: »

Coverage on Sky and RTE seems to break from 1pm to 4pm. Is it being shown anywhere during that time?

And Shane tees off at 1pm!

John Divney

Wow, what a hole this is.

benny79

I'd say he has more media work to do later probably! but yea think your right Fix, defo not his game think its more a mental problem, just like us all

ThunderCat

The view from the 9th tee that the lads just faced. I took it about 3 years ago when I played there. Very tough hole.

applehunter

Weather is mad

sydneybound

What the hell... I've been out all morning and now I come back to Rory +9... It's Thursday... WTF!!

ThunderCat

Here's another one of the 9th. I can't claim this one however

sydneybound

stevensi wrote: »

Make why you'd ever want to play golf in Ireland...it's almost June for God's sake

We have some great courses but the awful weather does make it a tough sell.

Speak Now

80!

FixdePitchmark

Stunning looking now. Crazy day,.

Dr Devious

Expect to see several rank outsiders fight it out if it continues windy, same as the grand national if the going is like a bog, anything can win it, totally levels the playing field all you need now is a bit of luck here and there. Clarke and Todd Hamilton spring to mind.