Dubai Duty Free Irish Open (European Tour Package)

OVERVIEW

The Irish Open heads to a new (to us) venue this week on the northwest tip of Ireland. This is the 2^nd straight event in the Rolex Series, and as we saw last week, the European Tour’s elite typically win these premier events. Since last year, the winners of Rolex Series events who are not in the field this week are Noren (twice), Fleetwood, Hatton, Rose, Grace, and Molinari. Those that have won and are in the field are Rahm, Rafa, and Olesen. The course is extremely exposed to wind (it’s going to be fun to watch if you like tough courses if the wind blows this week, if not, it’ll be just like any other event), features large greens and deep bunkering. The course hosted the European Tour’s North West of Ireland Open in 2002 and only five players finished under par and an unlikely winner in Rich Beem was crowned, when the dust settled. This will be a true links test this weekend and perhaps a solid warmup before the Open Championship at Carnoustie. If you can play well here, you should be able to fare well anywhere on earth. From Rory McIlroy – “It’s pure links, and I think people will really enjoy it. It’s one of the toughest links courses in the world. It’s really well designed, it’s a beautiful course and Donegal is just a beautiful area.” As of writing, the forecast calls for hot calm conditions, but as we know, conditions can change quickly, so make sure you double check the forecast before lock.

TOURNAMENT BACKGROUND

• The Course
• Ballyliffin GC
• Par: 72
• Yardage: 7,400 yards
• Greens: Bentgrass mix
• Location: Donegal, Ireland
• Past Champions:
• 2017: Jon Rahm – -24 over Richie Ramsay & Matt Southgate (Portstewart)
• 2016: Rory McIlroy -12 over Bradley Dredge & Russell Knox (K Club)
• 2015: Soren Kjeldsen -2 in a playoff over Eddie Pepperell & Bernd Weisberger (Royal County Down)
• 2014: Mikko Ilonen -13 over Edoardo Molinari
• 2013: Paul Casey -14 over Joost Luiten & Robert Rock

KEY STATS TO TARGET

• Strong Emphasis – Greens in Regulation, Ball Striking/Approach, Bogey Avoidance
• Important – Current Form, Wind/Links play, Mental fortitude

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