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Irish Open: Top 10 power rankings at Portstewart Golf Club

By Mike Randleman

CROMWELL, CT - JUNE 24: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland lines up a putt on the 12th green during the third round of the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands on June 24, 2017 in Cromwell, Connecticut. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images)
CROMWELL, CT - JUNE 24: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland lines up a putt on the 12th green during the third round of the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands on June 24, 2017 in Cromwell, Connecticut. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images) /
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Irish Open
MUNICH, GERMANY – JUNE 23: Rafa Cabrera Bello of Spain plays his second shot into the third green during the second round of the BMW International Open at Golfclub Munchen Eichenried on June 23, 2017 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images) /

Rafael Cabrera Bello is knocking on the door for his first worldwide win since 2012. He did a lot to prove himself with a pair of fourth-place finishes in the U.S. at the PLAYERS and FedEx St. Jude Classic as part of his first year playing primarily on the PGA TOUR.

He can take it a step further with a strong showing back in Europe at a tournament where he’s found success in the past. Cabrera Bello tied for eighth last year at the K Club and was absent just one low round that would have vaulted him into title contention. He was also T4 in 2015 at Royal County Down and T2 in 2012 at Royal Portrush in this event.

It’s apparent Cabrera Bello’s game lends itself to links golf, as he’s also made the cut and finished top 40 at last year’s Scottish Open, Open Championship and Alfred Dunhill Links.

He’s not a straight or long driver, but as long as he avoids the really nasty stuff at Royal Portstewart, his above-average ballstriking and elite putting this year (.861 strokes gained, second on PGA TOUR) can have him near the top.

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