Is The Irish Open Too Tough?

[PhilTheFragger]

Not wanting to get in the way of the main IO thread, but I've been thinking about 3 things namely--
It's a very tough course
The weather has been interesting
There have been some huge scores

This year because of Rory , they have got a great lineup of players, partially as it follows the BMW PGA so the players were this side anyway. It had good billing, fantastic sold out crowds etc

But with so many good players like Dubuisson, Sergio, Etc at 16 or 12 over and a shedload at +9 is there a danger that when they look at next year's rota many will weigh up the option of a tough Irish open V prep for US open or just a week off.

I know you will always get the big draw Irish players, Rory, Gmac, Lowry, McGinley etc but is there a danger that others may just say "nah"?

 

[Deleted member 15344]

No

Currently the leader is under par - how can it be "too tough"


Far too many golfers and even spectators play or watch US Target golf where the greens are soft and the course is set up for a birdie fest.

Scoring well in golf is supposed to be tough - its not supposed to be a walk in the park.

 

[farfaeforfar]

Not too tough. It's meant to be a test for professional's, not a stroll in the park. I listened to the commentary on the European Tour Radio yesterday and one commentator basically said that it's too cold, too windy and generally too hard for a lot of players as they are conditioned to play in the sun, with little wind and not having to plot round many links course. Has the state of the game got to where run of the mill links type weather is too much for these guys, I think not but too many don't play it regular enough to adapt.

It did make me think that if certain pro's don't like it, why enter? Sit on the sidelines this weekend instead.

 

[JohnnyDee]

I'm betwixt and between both sides of the argument.

Agree that it ain't meant to be easy, and that all too often we see the pros strolling in beautiful balmy sunshine.

But looking at the tournament's longevity I'd hate it if this year's battering makes some of the big names wimp out next year for fear of being made to look 'ordinary' and almost mortal.

Perhaps I've missed my calling in life. Looks like I cudda been an MP.

 

[Hobbit]

I thought they might move the tees up on Thurs/Fri based on the forecast. And then after Thurs I thought they've move them up to give some of the stars, e.g. Rory, a chance to chase birdies and get back in the hunt.

 

[North Mimms]

I've played RCD- it's a stunning course, but I wanted to give up golf after playing it.
Brutal.
And that was off the ladies tees!

 

[Dan2501]

2 weeks ago there was a thread asking if courses were too easy. Now one asking if they're too hard. I'd say they're about where they should be. Some are always going to be easier than others, but RCD certainly isn't too hard, it's great to watch the pro's struggling!

 

[Pin-seeker]

Personally I don't like the it when a good drive down the middle of a fairway gets punished by a bad bounce to the left or right.
Ricky Fowler seems to like this kind of golf tho,not so much Rory.
You'd think it'd be vice versa.

 

[garyinderry]

It isn't always played a links courses. happy to see it. Not enough pro events on links as it is.

 

[Tashyboy]

I honestly think that the players think there on a course where you can rip it 300 yd and then a lob wedge onto the green. It's not that kinda course and refreshingly so.
saw a pro try to drive a 340yd green par four in one and ended up in .... creek with the commentator saying "oh bad luck". eh, I don't think so.
really enjoyed watching players scrambling for pars like I scramble for bogeys and double bogeys.
really enjoy watching players having to alter there game and listening to the commentators explaining why there not following through with swing, hands forward. Etc etc.
big up respect for setting up a course that needs to be tamed. The winner will of earned his brass this week.

 

[LanDog]

Next year it's at the K Club and the year after its at Lough Erne, the K Club should attract a good field, Michael Smurfit is well connected, so long as it's still connected to McIlroy it'll only grow in terms of the field

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Course record been matched again today as it was also yesterday so maybe not too tough

 

[Qwerty]

From a Spectator point of view No Chance.

I'm loving watching the Pros Trying to plot their way round and them having to think about every shot.
I can relate to this kind of golf much more than the usual Resort course Birdie fest.
The pain etched on there face after another bad shot seems much more familiar.

Other than the Open, RC & The Masters I really don't watch a lot of Golf but I could watch this every week. Its a shame we don't get the opportunity to see more links golf on TV.

 

[shewy]

I'm liking it a lot, sick of the big smack with the driver then lob wedge on the PGA, after watching the Byron Nelson last night I'm pretty sure joe average could break 80 there,how wide open? It's refreshing to see somewhere where you have to think about it.

 

[patricks148]

As i said in the other tread, if you asked any of the members at RCD, i would guess they would all say its normal conditions on the links.

Also worth taking into account that they are playing at the end of May not July so the weather has not wormed up enough to really get any real growth in the grass, so the rough won't be that bad yet.

 

[Ethan]

It is a tough course but it is perfectly playable and fair, so it doesn't really matter if the winner scores level par or 15 under., so long as the best player that week is identified.

 

[PhilTheFragger]

Im not in any way suggesting that it isnt a fair course, of course it is, and yes they are having to think their way around and yes some very good scores have been made especially today,

The original post was about the potential future problems that might arise if certain top players decide not to play, much the same way that Wentworth might have an issue in future years unless their greens improve.

Its an interesting topic,

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Im not in any way suggesting that it isnt a fair course, of course it is, and yes they are having to think their way around and yes some very good scores have been made especially today,

The original post was about the potential future problems that might arise if certain top players decide not to play, much the same way that Wentworth might have an issue in future years unless their greens improve.

Its an interesting topic,

If they dont play because they believe its too hard for them - then they are the sort of players people dont want to see anyway - there should never be a change in venue because people find it hard. They are supposed to be professional golfers who enjoy the test of the course.

You will find more players not playing tournaments due to lack of big prize money.

 

[Ethan]

Im not in any way suggesting that it isnt a fair course, of course it is, and yes they are having to think their way around and yes some very good scores have been made especially today,

The original post was about the potential future problems that might arise if certain top players decide not to play, much the same way that Wentworth might have an issue in future years unless their greens improve.

Its an interesting topic,

They could redesignate one of the par 4s a par 5, that would improve everyone's scores by 8.

I know you didn't say it wasn't fair, but I thought it was still worth pointing out. Fairness means several things, same test for all, which it is, but also not arbitrary and unreasonable, and it isn't that either.

The Irish Open won't be at RCD very often and hopefully the better players will see it as good preparation of The Open when it is.

 

[Imurg]

- there should never be a change in venue because people find it hard. They are supposed to be professional golfers who enjoy the test of the course.

I'm sure an event was moved from St Mellion because many players found the course too hard.
B&H..?
Might not have been the sole reason but was certainly a factor