Our resident golf blogger previews the betting for 2011 Irish Open and gives us his tips for this year’s tournament which takes place at the Killarney Golf and Fishing Club.
The Irish Open is widely regarded as one of the premier events on the European Tour golf schedule and has a history unrivalled. Past champions include Ben Crenshaw, Bernhard Langer, Jose Maria Olazabal, Nick Faldo and Sergio Garcia. Undoubtedly, its most decorated champion is Seve Ballesteros, who claimed the first of his three Irish Open titles at Royal Dublin in 1983. Here I go through my tips for the tournament and examine exactly where the value lies for the average bettor.
The Course
Killeen is the flagship course at the picturesque Killarney Golf & Fishing Club and has hosted the Irish Open Championship on three occasions (91, 92 & 2010). Driving accuracy and superior putting will ultimately determine the winner and with water in play on virtually every hole, a strong mentality is beneficial. Expect a marque winner of this year’s Irish Open.
The Players
The defending champion is usually the subject of the limelight in the lead up to a golf tournament but unfortunately for English golfer Ross Fisher the hype surrounding this year’s Irish Open is firmly focused on the fourmajor champions who all hail from the island. Recent U.S. Open winner Rory McIlroy (5/1) is joined in the Irish Openby the current British Open champion Darren Clarke (22/1). Let’s not forget their fellow countrymen, fellow major champion Graeme McDowell (16/1) who, despite a lack of form in recent months, still remains a world-class talent. McIlroy and Clarke will receive all the plaudits but I’ve no doubt the home support will be in full voice for their hero Padraig Harrington (18/1) who kick-started the Irish golf revolution following his trio of major wins at the back-end of the last decade.
A Frenchman has never won the Irish Open but with seven golfers in the field this week they won’t find a better opportunity of breaking their duck. The best chance of a French success seemingly lies with three-time European Tour winners Raphael Jacquelin (33/1) and Gregory Bourdy (50/1) but after a decent performance in Sweden last weekend, don’t be surprised to see the long-hitting 21-year-old Victor Dubuisson play himself into contention yet again. Of the remaining Frenchman, Romain Wattel (66/1) looks to have a squeak after a string of impressive results in recent weeks.
The English challenge is led by Ross Fisher (22/1) who carded an impressive -18 on route to victory in this championship last year. After his top 10 finish at the Open Championship, links specialist Simon Dyson (25/1) is sure to have his followers but I don’t like his putting of late and he’s a gamble at the short odds on offer. One Englishman who does catch the eye is 23-year-old professional Danny Willett (45/1). He failed to make the cut at the British Open following an impressive opening round 69 but Willett has the ball-striking ability to fire directly at pins and if he gets the putter rolling in Killarney this week he’ll be difficult to beat.There are several other birdie-machines from across the pond who are capable of going low at the Killeen Course so take the trio of Chris Wood (40/1) Anthony Wall (66/1) and Robert Rock (33/1) into consideration when placing your bets for this year’s Irish Open Championship.
Irish Open Betting Tips
Best Value Bet: Danny Willett 45/1
Other Selections
Rory McIlroy 5/1
McIlory’s addition to the field is a massive boost to the organisers of the Irish Open, who for the majority of the past 12 months struggled to get the tournament off the ground, especially in terms of sponsorship. Killeen will be a far cry from the Irishman’s record-shattering win in the U.S. Open but sentimentally it could be as equally important, after all it’s McIlroy’s home championship. His combination of excellent driving distance and accuracy will leave him with wedge approach shots to virtually all of the greens and if McIlroy gets the putter hot then there’s only going to be one outcome. One things for sure, Rory McIlroy will not be 5/1 come Saturday lunch time so get your dough on while you can!
Paul Lawrie 80/1
The Scotsman claimed his first tour win since 2002 with victory in the Open de Andalucia earlier in the season. Given that he has won five of his six European Tour titles when leading or sharing the lead going into the final round, it’s safe to say Paul Lawrie the has mental strength to close out a golf tournament. That type of character is few and far between in the golfing world and when you factor in Lawrie’s fondness for fast greens, you quickly realise he has the golf game to challenge for this year’s Irish Open title.
Shane Lowry 33/1
Lowry’s familiarity with the Irish Open will put him feel at ease amongst the array of major champions teeing up at Killeen. He himself achieved a major breakthrough when he won this event as an amateur in 2009. A string of 4 top 15 finishes during May of this year has already secured the Irishman his tour card for next season and if he can find momentum with the putter around Killeen’s fast greens, Lowry could find himself toasting yet another Irish success.
David Horsey 66/1
A successful amateur golfer, David Horsey has made a smooth transition to the professional ranks of the European Tour. Two international wins in consecutive years has propelled the Englishman to 90th in the official world golf rankings, just a few places behind major champions Stewart Cink & Angel Cabrera. His most recent victory, which came in Morocco at the Trophee Hassan II, gained Horsey exemption on the European Tour until the end of 2013 season. Like Lawrie, Horsey putts well on fast greens and at the big odds on offer, he represents a decent bit of value in the Irish Open 2011.
