Rory makes a welcome return to the Irish Open and is in the 1pm group alongside Tommy Fleetwood and defending champion John Catlin.
We are moving closer to The 2021 Open Championship, which means the best in the world are making their way across the pond. The first stop is Kilkenny, where Mount Juliet will host its first Irish Open since 1995 when Sam Torrance claimed victory.
American John Catlin returns to defend the crown that he claimed last year at Galgorm Castle Golf Club in Northern Ireland.
All eyes will be on the 1pm tee time on Thursday, which will feature the tournament’s stars, Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood, alongside Catlin. Other notable names in the field include Shane Lowry, Graeme McDowell and Martin Kaymer.
The total purse for the Dubai Duty-Free Irish Open is €3,000,000, significantly lower than PGA Tour events, but still, nothing to scoff at. The winner will walk away €480,000 richer.
Mount Juliet Golf Estate is situated in Kilkenny and was designed by the great Jack Nicklaus. It first opened in 1991 and to mark the occasion, The Golden Bear took on Christy O’Connor Jr in an exhibition match.
In 1993 it hosted its first Irish Open, won by Sir Nick Faldo. It has also been the venue for two World Golf Championships and an Irish Senior’s Open.
Mount Juliet is an American Parkland layout that plays 7264 yards as a Par 72. The course features five lakes and over eighty bunkers strategically placed to add to the challenge.
Furthermore, players will need to navigate tree-lined fairways requiring expert placement to ensure a clear approach shot.
When Tiger Woods claimed the WGC American Express title at Mount Juliet in 2002, he remarked that the fairways are perfect and the greens were the best the players had putted on all year.
Thursday and Friday are forecast to deliver fantastic weather for golf, with temperatures hitting the high teens and low twenties. The only threat is a 22-knot Southerly wind blowing in on Friday, set to bring 14 inches of rainfall on Saturday and Sunday during play.
Players in the final grouping on Saturday will also need to contend with a 24-knot southwester.
|
Year |
Player |
Score |
Runner Up |
Course |
|
2020 |
John Catlin |
270 (-10) |
Aaron Rai |
Galgorm Castle GC |
|
2019 |
Jon Rahm |
264 (-16) |
Andy Sullivan Bernd Wiesberger |
Lahinch |
|
2018 |
Russell Knox |
274 (-14) *Playoff |
Ryan Fox |
Ballyliffin |
|
2017 |
Jon Rahm |
264 (-24) |
Richie Ramsay Matthew Southgate |
Portstewart |
|
2016 |
Rory McIlroy |
276 (-12) |
Bradley Dredge Russell Knox |
The K Club |
|
2015 |
Søren Kjeldsen |
268 (-20) |
Eddie Pepperell Bernd Wiesberger |
Royal County Down |
|
2014 |
Mikko Ilonen |
282 (-2) *Playoff |
Edoardo Molinari |
Fota Island |
|
2013 |
Paul Casey |
274 (-14) |
Joost Luiten Robert Rock |
Carton House |
|
2012 |
Jamie Donaldson |
270 (-18) |
Rafa Cabrera-Bello Anthony Wall Fabrizio Zanotti |
Royal Portrush |
|
2011 |
Simon Dyson |
269 (-15) |
Richard Green |
Killarney |
Players will need to position themselves well off the tee to have a chance of reaching on approach and setting up a birdie or eagle putt. This week, driving accuracy, strokes gained on approach, and strokes gained putting will be integral to success at Mount Juliet.
Short-Priced Pick - Sam Horsfield
The Englishman has played consistently this year. In his last five starts, he has notched up two top five’s. That includes a tie for fifth at the BMW Open last week in Munich.
Horsfield knows how to score low and continues to put himself in contention. He shot four rounds in the ’60s at The Gran Canaria Open in April, including a 61 and a first-round 64 last week.
Although his driving accuracy leaves much to be desired, he ranks 2nd on Tour for putts per GIR, 6th for stroke average and 17th for GIR’s. He will be a contender this week at 25/1 is well worth the punt.
Mid-Priced Pick - Dean Burmester
Before the South African ventured over to the US for The PGA Championship, he carded three top-ten finishes in a row. Including a win at The Tenerife Open in May.
He struggled in Munich. But could be forgiven for the mammoth journey he undertook from San Diego after The PGA Championship.
Burmester currently sits 6th on Tour for driving distance and putts per GIR, which he will need to use to his advantage if he is to contend in Kilkenny this week.
Long Shot - Rasmus Hojgaard
The Dane will hope to draw inspiration from the national football team who have defied the odds to reach the Euro Quarter Finals. Hojgaard started the year strong with two top-ten finishes in The Middle East. However, he has left us with little to cheer for since.
Rasmus showed promise last week in Germany when he tied for 17th, showing that he can still play.
He is 12th on Tour for greens in regulation, but he will need to be on form with the putter this weekend if he is to contend.
Cole Golf - Irish Owned - Celebrating Over 10 Years Online (2011-2021)