Irish Open 2021 [No Covid posts]

Neewollah

I would expect them to be out around lunch time.

Speak Now

https://www.europeantour.com/european-tour/dubai-duty-free-irish-open-2021/tee-times?round=1

Lowry and Harrington on same side of the draw

At least they are back to back groups so can kind of follow both but you'd imagine most of the crowd will be drawn to them early.

Might just get a spot by the 11th tee and 14th green for the afternoon and watch the groups pass through the 2 par 3's. 13th green very nearby as well.

big_drive

Nice draw for Caolan Rafferty to get. Paul Waring & Edoardo molinari, two nicely seasoned European tour pros, he's bound to pick up something from a couple of rounds in their company

The Big Easy

big_drive wrote: »

Nice draw for Caolan Rafferty to get. Paul Waring & Edoardo molinari, two nicely seasoned European tour pros, he's bound to pick up something from a couple of rounds in their company

https://irishgolfer.ie/latest-golf-news/feature-interviews/2021/05/16/forever-knocking-on-the-door-caolan-rafferty/

Just read this last week and was really interesting, know Caolan in passing from the range in Dundalk.

Is it a coincidence he gets an invite just after that's published?

big_drive

The Big Easy wrote: »

https://irishgolfer.ie/latest-golf-news/feature-interviews/2021/05/16/forever-knocking-on-the-door-caolan-rafferty/

Just read this last week and was really interesting, know Caolan in passing from the range in Dundalk.

Is it a coincidence he gets an invite just after that's published?

Hard to know but I thought there was a lot of truth in that article. For what he's achieved in the amateur game he's never got invited into Pro events etc. Others seem to get all those opportunities despite not achieving as much.
Personally I think it's his age, at 28 people view him as past it for the pro ranks. They'd prefer take a chance on the likes of Power or McKibben
As he said he's always been a late bloomer, I wouldn't rule him out yet. Maybe turning pro at a more mature age might be a great thing. Look this year at Caldwell, the beauty of golf is it's not as age dependent as other sports.
This week could be the very break he needs to measure his game at that level

The Big Easy

big_drive wrote: »

Hard to know but I thought there was a lot of truth in that article. For what he's achieved in the amateur game he's never got invited into Pro events etc. Others seem to get all those opportunities despite not achieving as much.
Personally I think it's his age, at 28 people view him as past it for the pro ranks. They'd prefer take a chance on the likes of Power or McKibben
As he said he's always been a late bloomer, I wouldn't rule him out yet. Maybe turning pro at a more mature age might be a great thing. Look this year at Caldwell, the beauty of golf is it's not as age dependent as other sports.
This week could be the very break he needs to measure his game at that level

I'll hopefully follow him for a few holes on Friday, would be great to see him make the cut.

big_drive

I'll follow that group too on the Thursday for a while. I watch Paul Waring on YouTube a fair bit with Alex Evans and he seems a sound lad

nonsheep7

A pity no Macintyre , anyone know if a reserve now gets his place ??

Speak Now

nonsheep7 wrote: »

A pity no Macintyre , anyone know if a reserve now gets his place ??

Yeah cut off moved down to 27th place at 2019 Q School.

nonsheep7

Speak Now wrote: »

Yeah cut off moved down to 27th place at 2019 Q School.

Thanks ,do you know who that player is ? often the reserve players do well ,just looking at it from a punting perspective.

Speak Now

nonsheep7 wrote: »

Thanks ,do you know who that player is ? often the reserve players do well ,just looking at it from a punting perspective.

Dale Whitnell.

IHateNewShoes

Does anyone know the rules with what you can bring in?

For example a camping chair? And also can you bring in food?

Deeper Blue

IHateNewShoes wrote: »

Does anyone know the rules with what you can bring in?

For example a camping chair? And also can you bring in food?

Food definitely

Based on other years I believe camping chairs are ok but with the current situation I'm not sure if they'd be allowed this year, considering there's apparently no seating on the course.

big_drive

Anyone with a link to the teams in today's Pro Am?

SeeMoreBut

1st place is 28 world ranking points

DuckSlice

SeeMoreBut wrote: »

1st place is 28 world ranking points

is that good or bad?

Motivator

Deeper Blue wrote: »

Food definitely

Based on other years I believe camping chairs are ok but with the current situation I'm not sure if they'd be allowed this year, considering there's apparently no seating on the course.

No seating on the course is the traditional grandstands, personal seating surely has to be permitted. I can’t see them expecting elderly or impaired spectators to be on their feet all day. If they are ruling out all seating, including a seat someone brings themself, then it is a disgrace.

SeeMoreBut

DuckSlice wrote: »

is that good or bad?

Bad. Min is 24.

Most weeks on PGA tour be around 50 points

Deeper Blue

Motivator wrote: »

No seating on the course is the traditional grandstands, personal seating surely has to be permitted. I can’t see them expecting elderly or impaired spectators to be on their feet all day. If they are ruling out all seating, including a seat someone brings themself, then it is a disgrace.

I agree with you 100%, but it still wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if that was the case.

big_drive

Motivator wrote: »

No seating on the course is the traditional grandstands, personal seating surely has to be permitted. I can’t see them expecting elderly or impaired spectators to be on their feet all day. If they are ruling out all seating, including a seat someone brings themself, then it is a disgrace.

I think it will all be fine. They have to be seen to lay down certain guidelines etc.
But I think once people are in it will be relaxed enough once people are somewhat respectful towards the regulations

Lapse

Selling one adult ticket for Friday if anybody is interested.

Speak Now

No mention of fold up chairs, just says no pinics or picnic hampers

Motivator

Speak Now wrote: »

No mention of fold up chairs, just says no pinics or picnic hampers

That’s one rule I will be breaking so. I’ll have a bag of sandwiches with me. I’m not paying a tenner for a poxy burger or something like that.

In 2004 I remember paying €12 for a roll up there for the American Express. I know it was bang in the middle of the Celtic tiger but it was outrageous.

The Big Easy

Was just reading the code of conduct ahead of going in Friday:

"Please also avoid shouting, singing or celebrating all of which may increase risk of transmission."

Celebrating Classic!

Speak Now

Supposedly card only as well, no cash and no ATM.

DuckSlice

They mentioned on today Fm they are expecting 2500 fans a day, i thought it was 5k?

Golfgraffix

DuckSlice wrote: »

They mentioned on today Fm they are expecting 2500 fans a day, i thought it was 5k?

I think it’s 5000 on site, the others being players, staff etc

paulie21

Is there no coverage till 1pm?

SeeMoreBut

paulie21 wrote: »

Is there no coverage till 1pm?

No. I expect they are covering all 18 holes of Rory

Speak Now

Not totally cashless here and lots not wearing masks out and about.

Mantis Toboggan

Looks like scoring will be low. Harrington going the wrong direction.

Cooled1

paulie21 wrote: »

Is there no coverage till 1pm?

Very strange that they wouldnt just show all of it particularly as there is big name Irish players out early

Speak Now

Very relaxed here, no mask enforcement out and about at all. Scoring conditions perfect. Padraig missing lots of short ones and birdie on 17th just dropped on last dimple.

big_drive

Course looking brilliant

Great atmosphere around. Smaller crowds probably making it easier for marshalls etc. No issues with masks etc, people using common sense and being respectful.

Up close you just realise how good these guys are

recyclops

No doubt NPHET will see it on the tv later and the whole thing will be shut down :p:p

dizzydoll

Speak Now wrote: »

Not totally cashless here and lots not wearing masks out and about.

Hey Speakeasy,

Did they do PCR test going in, seen signs for covid testing? Are they checking names on tickets or do you just scan & enter? Thanks

Speak Now

dizzydoll wrote: »

Hey Speakeasy,

Did they do PCR test going in, seen signs for covid testing? Are they checking names on tickets or do you just scan & enter? Thanks

No test, no questions and they just scan QR code. Super relaxed. Even the weather giving it a PGA tour vibe

big_drive

dizzydoll wrote: »

Hey Speakeasy,

Did they do PCR test going in, seen signs for covid testing? Are they checking names on tickets or do you just scan & enter? Thanks

The testing is players, caddies etc.

Ticket scanned that's it. No names etc checked

So none of the worries re masks, names on ticket seem to be an issue. The fact the weekend numbers can't increase should mean it remains relaxed, marshalls under no big pressure except around the Lowry & Harrington groups.

Food and drinks a rip off as usual. €3.50 for a tiny sized coffee
Bring your own if coming

Speak Now

Field ended up 1 shy due to withdrawal and more reserves here, pity it was one of the early groups. Couldn't have got an irish Pro to fill the game, assuming that would be allowed.

Mantis Toboggan

Kaymer could make the Ryder cup team yet!

The Big Easy

Cooled1 wrote: »

Very strange that they wouldnt just show all of it particularly as there is big name Irish players out early

It's ridiculous and they've the coverage switched tomorrow to show Rory as well, very disrespectful to Shane and Padraig.

Are Sky Sports not showing it? They always do two waves of coverage no matter the tournament

prawnsambo

The Big Easy wrote: »

It's ridiculous and they've the coverage switched tomorrow to show Rory as well, very disrespectful to Shane and Padraig.

Are Sky Sports not showing it? They always do two waves of coverage no matter the tournament

Nope. Coverage doesn't start until one.

spacecoyote

The Big Easy wrote: »

It's ridiculous and they've the coverage switched tomorrow to show Rory as well, very disrespectful to Shane and Padraig.

Are Sky Sports not showing it? They always do two waves of coverage no matter the tournament

Listing feature groups from 11.45 I think

wildrover444

spacecoyote wrote: »

Listing feature groups from 11.45 I think

That's for the rocket mortgage classic in pga tour. Not sure they have ever done feature groups on European tour.

prawnsambo

spacecoyote wrote: »

Listing feature groups from 11.45 I think

That's listed as PGA Tour featured groups from the Rocket Mortgage Classic (yeah, huge ).

The Big Easy

It's very odd they're only showing Rory's wave and it's the same tomorrow from what I can figure out

Edit: they are showing both waves tomorrow, just not today for whatever reason

SeeMoreBut

Shane -2 and level on par 5's

1 shot to field but more likely 3-4 to leaders

The Big Easy

SeeMoreBut wrote: »

Shane -2 and level on par 5's

1 shot to field but more likely 3-4 to leaders

It's a solid if unspectacular start.

Good day tomorrow and he's bang in the tournament.

kmart6

SeeMoreBut wrote: »

Shane -2 and level on par 5's

1 shot to field but more likely 3-4 to leaders

+1 on the par 5's no? And six shots off the lead, which was in the clubhouse two groups before him.

FourFourRED

Will we even see Rory on Saturday?