THIS year’s Horizon Irish Open was a huge success and it was great to see a real buzz back at the tournament post-Covid.
On Sunday morning, our 15 minute drive to Mount Juliet took half an hour longer than normal but I didn’t mind.
Compared to the heartbreaking sterility of the previous two years because of Covid restrictions, it was great to see.
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The crowds that came out were immense and that old Irish Open atmosphere was back.
There’s no doubt the LIV defections will impact on Europe’s Ryder Cup options and a lot of experience has walked out the door.
But that opens up opportunities for others and Adrian Meronk, who secured a breakout win at Mount Juliet, is certainly one to watch.
The Pole is up to 64th in the world and in the midst of a remarkable run of form with a win and three other top-three finishes in his last seven outings.
He also secured a sixth place at the Soudal Open in May, while top-10 finishes at the Dubai Desert Classic and the Ras Al Khaimah Classic earlier in the year point to a player on the rise.
Meronk had been showing signs of improvement over the past three years but there’s no doubt his game has moved up a notch this season.
He won in style in Kilkenny and had the character to get the job done after holding an overnight lead heading into Sunday’s final round.
A spectacular 66 on the final day, including a stunning eagle at the last, revealed poise and personality in equal measure and the signs are there that he is here to stay.
The fact Meronk, who was born in Germany but represents Poland, plays under the Polish flag is also a massive shot in the arm for that country.
The more interest and ‘eyes’ wins like Sunday generate across Europe, away from the normal hotbeds of the sport, the better.
The Irish players huffed and puffed a bit in Kilkenny but they added to the overall sense of occasion.
Shane Lowry proved his love for the event with a standout Friday afternoon charge to be around for the weekend.
He also proved his class to nick a top 9 finish from an early start on Saturday.
For a short period of time, Seamus Power allowed us to dream, only to be derailed by a third round 77, but at least it got the galleries excited.
Padraig Harrington also played his part but in the end his previous week’s endeavours at the US Senior Open took their toll.
Niall Kearney will have enjoyed his Sunday with Power and hopefully that can be a springboard for a strong second half to the season.
I am really pleased for Mount Juliet and all the staff that the quality of golf we witnessed matched their meticulous preparation for this year’s tournament.
I grew up playing at Mount Juliet and at Kilkenny Golf Club and it has always been a special place. I am pleased it got to host another Irish Open in sparkling fashion.
Star Studded Scottish Open Up Next
THE field at this week’s Scottish Open is hopefully a signal that bigger and better things may be around the corner for the DP World Tour.
The star quality on show, including World No1 Scottie Scheffler, Jon Rahm, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Justin Thomas and Patrick Cantlay, is a real window into the potential of a strategic alliance between the two tours.
The end goal now is to become stronger through unity. That approach will really help the tours. It will also encourage the progression of current stars and emergence of future ones.
The turnout for this week’s two-day JP McManus Pro-Am is proof that the paying public just wants to watch the world’s best players tee it up and play golf.
The same goes for the LIV Golf Series. If it came to Ireland, fans would want to see it.
That’s the reality, but the main takeaway for the DP World Tour and PGA Tour now is that the best course of action is togetherness.
There’s a lot of debate and disruption at the moment, but I honestly think things will settle down and everyone will end up co-existing and prospering.
I also believe the majors will become even more important. With the new landscape, those four weeks of the year will attract even more attention than before.
DP World Tour fights back
IT was good to see the DP World Tour stand up and bar Patrick Reed from the Scottish Open.
For too long European golf has bowed to the stars so I am pleased the powers that be have taken a tougher stance following Reed’s decision to jump ship for the LIV.
A line needs to be drawn in the sand and let the tours move on. As Padraig Harrington said last week: You make your bed, you lie in it.
It’s beyond cheeky to believe you can pick and choose and suck honey from all the hives.
The vibe among the players at last week’s Horizon Irish Open was that they don’t want the defectors back. They wish them well, but it’s time to move on. Separately.
The threat of legal action is of no help to anyone. The guys who moved to the LIV Series have made their decision and maybe they should just count their financial blessings.
The money on offer is astronomical and, in some cases, impossible to turn down. Branden Grace has won $6.6m from two starts. That’s more than a million bucks per round!
Those players have all received substantial money to defect and good luck to them. It is always a bold decision to do something different and upset the apple cart.
But what they need to do now is identify as LIV players, support their new employer and let their previous tours plot a way ahead. Without them.
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