Looking Like A Light Links Season Turnout From World's Best
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Martin Dempster of The Scotsman says the Irish Open is still a world class event but the absence of top Americans or other top-10 players is a shame and surprising. The Scottish Open features no real big surprises in star power, with the usual suspects (McIlroy, Fowler, Kuchar, Stenson, etc) turning up there to prepare for The Open (and good for them btw).
In comparing the events, he writes:
For the record, the Scottish event boasts the strongest line-up for the second year running, with two top-ten players and 17 from the world’s top 50, compared to none and 12 respectively in Ireland.
However, what actually matters most is that two world-class events are about to be staged in the build-up to the final major of the season and most of the European Tour’s biggest names are teeing up in one or the other
Maybe the players were spoiled (and spent) by that charming stop in Saudia Arabia earlier this year?
Just 12 and 17 of the top 50 for two Rolex Series purses in the build-up to the final major suggests the world of golf may have too many lucrative possibilities in too short a time span.
The European Tour’s five things to know about the Irish Open, including Niall Horan turning up for the pro-am and more.
Thankfully, the setting is the star this week. Richard Fitzpatrick on the stage that is Lahinch while Brian Keogh at the Irish Golf Desk details the interesting (and well-paying) Monday qualifier for the Irish. He also endorses the setup at the Dell:
The Dell is a throwback to golf from another era with players forced to hit to a green completely hidden between two huge dunes — a hole almost untouched since it was laid out by Old Tom Morris more than 125 years ago
Fans will be able to watch the action from a grandstand erected in front of a home on the Liscannor Road.
And with a whitewashed stone on top of a dune the only indication of the line to the pin, both spectators and the players will be able to see where the ball lands on a big video screen.
We previewed and discussed on Morning Drive.
The setting set by the European Tour:
