New venue and time slot for Irish Open
IN: News | European PGA | Nissan Irish Open (2005) | Preview | by Bruce Young | 18 May 2005
The Nissan Irish Open takes an earlier time slot than usual on this year's European Tour when it is played this week at a new venue, the Carton House Golf Club in Maynooth, County Kildare, just outside of Dublin.
Colin Montgomerie, working with his design partners European Golf Design (a joint venture between IMG and the European Tour), designed the layout which is one of five completed courses Montgomerie now has to his name. The course measures 7300 yards and has a par of 72.
The layout is incorporated as part of one of Ireland's historical estates and this is one of two courses there, the other designed by Mark O'Meara and EGD.
The course opened in 2003 and the Golf Union of Ireland will soon have their headquarters there and in fact in 2004 the Irish Amateur was played on this layout.
As could be expected, Montgomerie will be the star attraction along with Darren Clarke and Padraig Harrington. Montgomerie will spend much of the week copping wisecracks from spectators telling him he should know how to play the course given that it is his design, but if he can put that to one side he is a chance. His recent form is good, especially prior to the BMW Asian Open two weeks ago in China.
Darren Clarke came home with a wet sail from a long way back last week to threaten the leaders during the final round but fell short. He has good form on his side at present and a win here would no doubt be welcomed by his many fans here and north of the border.
Padraig Harrington is playing what is effectively a home game given that he lives in Dublin and he will not lack support. His form has been a little indifferent in recent weeks as he struggles with the distraction of a family illness and a bad neck but if he has his mind on the job he can do well. He is the leading world ranked player here but there is still a little doubt about his participation because of injury.
Miguel Angel Jimenez has done reasonably well of late but it has hardly been the form that he is capable of and on that basis he is hard to like in winning terms. He was second in Dubai six starts ago but that apart he has been less than convincing.
David Howell did everything but win his second European Tour event last week. His 11th placing at Augusta was very impressive and although he struggles to get across the line first, he might just do so this week.
Michael Campbell has awoken from a very long and deep golfing sleep. His third place in Beijing was followed three weeks later by his fourth last week at the Forest of Arden. He let a substantial lead slip last week but he is getting back to the form we know he is capable of at his peak and he can be expected to go on with it this week. He won this event two years ago and will again be keen to win here to confirm his return.
Third place at the Shell Houston Open and runner up at the BellSouth Classic would suggest Jose Maria Olazabal is well and truly up to this, and he is. This is his first start on European Tour this year.
Trevor Immelman has a chance. His 5th at the Masters highlights just how good he is. He was 4th at The Crowns in Japan and last week did okay in Dallas. Clearly this is not as strong a field.
Of the Australasians Nick O'Hern, Richard Green, Peter O'Malley, Marcus Fraser, defending champion Brett Rumford for whom a win this year would be less of a surprise than twelve months ago, Peter Fowler, Terry Price, Brad Kennedy, Stephen Scahill, Wade Ormsby, Peter Senior and Jarrod Moseley are all here.
