Will Irish Eyes Be Smiling This Year at Augusta?
By Tom Kennedy
There are few countries that punch above their weight on the sporting front as consistently as the Irish – Messrs McIlroy, Harrington, Clarke, McDowell, McGinley and Lowry are among the proof of this particular pudding. Apart from golf, Ireland regularly produces some of the very best racehorses in the World (both for National Hunt and on the Flat) while we are one of the best rugby playing nations out there. Even our cricketers are climbing the ladder in that sport and our boxers are some of the best around.
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Okay…..I got a little sidetracked there. Back to golf! If an Irishman can win at Augusta next weekend then we will be one of very few countries to have completed a Major Slam with winners of The Open, US Open and The PGA Championship already hailing from the Emerald Isle. Since Padraig Harrington won the 2007 Open Championship, Irish golfers have accounted for 9 of the 30 winners of Major Championships.
Rory McIlroy. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports
The main Irish golfer contending next week at Augusta is undoubtedly World No.1, Rory McIlroy. While his form is probably not what he would like it to be he still possesses the game to win The Masters and the magnificent course should suit his game. We know it does but the main question he has to answer is — can he conquer the demons that arrived during his back 9 holes in the final round of 2011? Rory’s performances to win both The Open and PGA Championship last year, along with winning the BMW PGA Championship and also a WGC event point to his emergence as the best player in the world at the moment – I’ll be writing him off at my peril!
Padraig Harrington. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
Padraig Harrington came back to prominence with a win at the Honda Classic recently and remains of the most popular players in the game. The outpourinf of emotion from home and abroad after his victory was testament to that. As “Paddy” knows himself, if he gets into contention he is as good as anybody under pressure. The key for the Dubliner will be whether he can start well at Augusta this year. Some encouraging performances since his win in Florida point to the fact that he may very well be able to do so.
Darren Clarke. Mandatory Credit: Ian Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
Out of the other Irish taking the drive up Magnolia Drive next week, the least is probably expected of newly appointed Ryder Cup Captain, Darren Clarke. The 2011 Open Champion has gone through a dramatic change in physique over the past year but this has not necessarily translated into better performances on the golf course. A Top 16 would be a great result for Darren if he could manage that. Of course he wasn’t expected to do anything at Royal St George’s a few years ago either!
Shane Lowry. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports
Shane Lowry has made encouraging progress since turning pro following his amazing win as a Amateur in the 2009 Irish Open and his early season form points to what could be a debut performance to remember at Augusta next week. He makes his first appearance at The Masters this year. Could he emulate Fuzzy Zoeller and win as a first-timer? He definitely possesses the short game to cope with the many nuances of the Georgia gem but will his lack of course knowledge be a bridge too far for the man from Offaly?
Graeme McDowell. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports
The fifth Irish contender next week is Graeme McDowell. “G-Mac” has been one of the world’s best players since catapulting himself into the upper echelons of world golf with his wonderful US Open win at Pebble Beach in 2010. Graeme is one of the best clutch putters in the game and if he can get into contention then expect him to stay around the top of the leaderboard over the weekend. McDowell’s length off the tee could affect his chances though as the majority of Masters Champs do well on the par-5s en route to victory.
So, will Irish eyes be smiling come the time when Jim Nantz starts the festivities in the Butler Cabin some Sunday week? I think they very well could be but they have some great golfers to beat if they want to! There is a old saying back home “You’ll never beat the Irish“…….only time will tell I suppose.