Where the
three.oldstyle Irish Open Preview
Open
for business
Philip Reid previews
the 3 Irish Open,
supported by Fáilte
Ireland, and looks
back at the history of
this prestigious event.
W
hat makes a great championship? championship, the Irish Open has proven to be one of
Is it the weight of history, or the most coveted and cherished trophies to be claimed
its prestige? Perhaps it is how it on tour.
inveigles its way into the hearts and minds and souls of a Indeed, legendary names are etched onto the trophy as
nation? Maybe the sum of the parts come together to champions . . . . Ben Crenshaw . . . . Seve Ballesteros
make it great, which is probably why the Irish Open has . . . . Bernhard Langer . . . . Ian Woosnam . . . .
long been considered one of the great tournaments on José María Olazábal . . . . Sir Nick Faldo . . . .
the PGA European Tour schedule. Colin Montgomerie . . . . Sergio García . . . . and,
The 3 Irish Open, supported by Fáilte Ireland, returns in more recent times, Pádraig Harrington – Ireland’s
to the magnifi cent lakeside setting of Killarney Golf and very own triple-major champion – who used the
Fishing Club in 2010 when it takes place on the Killeen championship as the spur he needed to raise his
Course from July 29th-August 1st which, as it happens, own expectations and go on to capture the Open
is a Bank Holiday weekend in Ireland and sure to Championship back-to-back in 2007 and 2008 along
guarantee a true festival atmosphere in this picturesque with the US PGA Championship in 2008.
part of Co. Kerry. Harrington became the fi rst Irishman in 25 years to
Since it was fi rst staged at Portmarnock Golf Club win the Irish Open when he accomplished the feat at
in 1927, when George Duncan contrived to defy the Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort in 2007, ending a
weather by using old newspapers under his shirt as barren spell that stretched back to John O’Leary’s
an extra layer on his way to victory in the inaugural triumph at Portmarnock in 1982. Yet, within two years,
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PG72-73 Irish Open.indd 72 12/17/09 3:24:58 PM
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