So Far, So Good With The Portrush Audition

Alistair Tait, reporting from the Irish Open at Royal Portrush where the Open Championship has not been played since 1951, says the players are giving the course rave reviews despite facing an unusually soft links due to heavy rains.

“It would be great for an Open Championship,” two time Open champion Padraig Harrington said. “It’s awesome. It is a joy to play this golf course. It’s got a lot of testing golf shots on it but it also gives you something when you hit a good shot.”

Anyone who questioned whether or not the Northern Irish would support big time golf only had to turn up at Portrush to find the answer. It is a resounding yes. But that’s always been the case. They turned up in thousands when the 2007 Walker Cup was played at Royal County Down. And that was before the economic downturn.

“For the crowds to turn out in the middle of a recession, pay big money like they are paying makes me proud to be Irish,” Paul McGinley said. “We go to a lot of countries around the world, a lot wealthier than Ireland and not going through the economic downturn that we are in, and yet we have record sell outs here.”

Tait also says the R&A has been present, scouting out the logistics. Let's hope the low scoring is not a deterrent.

Comments

[Hawkeye]

The low scoring shouldn't be a surprise, given that the greens are receptive (did you see Rory's hack out of the thick stuff on 15 that actually spun backwards?) and that the course features the two shortest Par 5's (9 and 10) on the tour. The course is absolutely gorgeous, and hopefully the R&A will give it an Open in the not-too-distant future.

[Ivan Morris]

Turn 9 and 10 into par 4s and suddenly 8-under is leading. Like any links, Portrush needs wind and to be running fast for it to play at its best. Even the rough looks more benign than usual.

[Rod Morri]

If Portrush gets the Open does that mean it I'll also get "the treatment"? Might be better off without it.

[carnaptious and camsteerie]

Didn't see a whole lot of stands out there. An Open ticket costs a lot of money these days so. shorties need not apply!

[d.b.cooper]

Pulling for Paddy this weekend.

The course is clearly Open worthy, forget the scoring.

[Phil]

Is it just me but it's greatness doesn't come across on TV?

[DTF]

Phil I've played it a couple times and it appears very benign on TV as compared to the reality of an in person experience!

As for the Congressional, no shot link this week.....cost cutting?

[Pasaplayer]

Reportedly the only sellout on the Euro Tour apart from the majors.

If scoring is an issue, might I suggest playing the Open with the English ball circa 1974?

[Colin MacGillivray]

If Portrush gets the Open does that mean it I'll also get "the treatment"? Might be better off without it.
06.29.2012 | Rod Morri
Don't think the Royal and Ancient rush in a build new bunkers and change the grass like the USGA. Does anyone know how much the R&A tinker with courses?

[D. maculata]

I doubt the R&A would build new bunkers but just to be safe, the members should work on having Rees Jones passport revoked. After what happened to the Road Hole, expect 2-3 new tee boxes to address the current 7,143 yds.

[GolfFan]

Makes me think "Why would anyone be playing/watching Congressional?"

[Dick Mahoon]

So how much are they paying?

What is the 'big money' that P McGinley is referring to?

If it's more than 10 quid they're a buncha eejits.....

DM

[McStumpy]

I suspect R&A would set as par 71, with the 10th as a par 4. Some of those raised greens with their run offs would play havoc in dry conditions. Course looks a gem to me.