fun test this week for me and the players at ROYAL COUNTY DOWN GC in NORTHERN IRELAND for the IRISH OPEN. tough course layout and will be made even tougher with the forecast predicted with wind 10mph for most of the week. given that could change, but as long as there is wind it will provide more of a challenge obviously, but seeing how there are up to 7 blind tee shots this week, youre going to need to be in control of your game to make it to the weekend.
not to say that he isnt confident where his game stands, RORY is playing host this week and while it may have been a good thing for him to miss the cut last week, from his eyes he almost seems relieved to have done so, i really dont like that attitude while it may be for the right reason as he has other duties to attend to this week other than golf, he needs to be cut throat all the time to not have let ups down the stretch. got on that roll last year and kept that foot on the pedal, had it going the last 4weeks til last week at the BMW, somewhat predictable considering the amount of golf he has played, but RORY wasnt sharp with the long game and think that will carry over again this week. odds have dropped on FOWLER and GARCIA vs MCILROY in tour mu this week, may be an overreaction due to MCILROY missing the cut the last 2 years in this event, while i dont think he will miss the cut this week, dont think MCILROY will be sharp this weekend if near the lead, great chance for others to take advantage and move up the leaderboard without him. speaking of GARCIA and FOWLER, this course does seem to fit them both well, just not loving their # to win, so will pass, but both should have good weeks being in atleast top20.
this ROYAL COUNTY DOWN course isnt too much of a test length wise off the tee, just need to be accurate to then set up your 2nd shot where to me is the key to this course as if you keep it consistent from that point, and miss it correctly when needed, you should be able to get your up and down on these somewhat slowish greens that you can make your up and down and move on to the next hole to take advantage. tough course but can be had if the weather doesnt get stupid and you can keep your irons accurate.
bigger than normal card, may come back to bite me, but will shake it up a bit and see if i can take advantage of a untested course for 72h for some time.
IRISH OPEN(-1.07u)
65/1 M. A JIMENEZ(.5u) -- to win L (t43)
75/1 T. JAIDEE(.5u) -- to win L (t10)
85/1 G. COETZEE(.5u) -- to win L (mc)
100/1 P . UIHLEIN(.5u) -- to win L (t60)
3.85/1 M. A JIMENEZ(.5u) -- top10 L
5/1 G. COETZEE(.5u) -- top10 L
5.5/1 T. JAIDEE(.5u) -- top10 P
6/1 P. UIHLEIN(.5u) -- top10 L
fitzpatrick(-110) / fraser(.5u) -- tour mu W (t8 - t43)
coetzee(-110) / drysdale(.5u) -- tour mu W (mc +6 - mc +7)
fowler(-105) / garcia(.5u) -- tour mu W (t30 - mc)
warren(-115) / donald(.5u) -- tour mu L (mc - t18)
jaidee -1.5(-120) / dubuisson(.5u) -- tour mu W (t10 - mc)
mcdowell(-120) / grillo(.5u) -- tour mu P (t30 - t30)
noren(-110) / grillo(.5u) -- tour mu W (t21 - t30)
fichardt(-110) / hend(.5u) -- 3rd rd mu W (67 - 71)
kjeldsen(-115) / kieffer(.5u) -- 4th rd mu W (76 - 77)
dredge(+120) / fitzpatrick(.5u) -- 4th rd mu L (73 - 72)