The 3 Irish Open

May 15th, 2009

The European Tour rolled into Drogheda, Ireland this week for a taste of links golf at the 3 Irish Open. County Louth Golf Club, or “Baltray” as it is more affectionately known, plays host to the event for the first time since 2004 and, following a number of weeks of parkland golf, will offer the players a very different challenge. A combination of heavily contoured links land and strong, blustery winds will place particular emphasis on a player’s shot-making ability. Any player losing control of their ball flight will find their hopes of glory quickly blown away.

As mentioned in last week’s post the focus in the run-up to the event was very much aimed at young Titleist Ambassador Rory McIlroy. A definite fan’s favourite wherever he tees it up and hailing from Holywood, Northern Ireland, Rory will receive particularly vociferous support from the Irish crowds who can always be relied upon to cheer their sporting heroes. You need only check this week’s slide show for evidence of this.

Click here to view the slideshow

Not being one to disappoint, Rory is off to a fine start. A solid opening round of 69 (-3) was followed up by another strong round of 68 (-4) in round two leaving McIlroy in a strong position to contend for the title over the weekend. Should Rory go onto claim the title he will do so with a new putter. Following a couple of frustrating week’s on the greens, Rory recently decided a change was in order and has put a new Scotty Cameron Black Newport 009 into play.

Unfortunately, the weather in Ireland this week put paid to the majority of equipment work. Wind and rain is not ideal for ball testing or driver fitting so the majority of equipment work that did take place was primarily focused on wedges. Titleist Ambassadors Rory McIlroy, Ross Fisher, Soren Hansen and Peter O’Malley are all playing new Vokey Wedges at this week’s event. In addition, Mikko Ilonen is also in possession of his new 60° Vokey. Those of you that read last week’s post will know exactly why Mikko needed a new wedge. Let’s just hope the new Vokey can avoid similar treatment from the self proclaimed FF (Flying Finn). Check out the slide show for a look at Mikko’s new Vokey.

Another Titleist Ambassador to pick up new Vokey wedges this week was young Spaniard Carlos Del Moral. Carlos was second reserve for this week’s event but decided to travel just in case a place at the event became available. Unfortunately Carlos hasn’t made it into the field, but his time at County Louth wasn’t wasted as he picked up new Vokeys, a new set of Titleist ZB forged irons and a new 909F3 15° fairway metal. Carlos will test the new equipment during his time off as he prepares for next week’s event.

Next week’s European Tour event is the BMW PGA Championship held at the Wentworth Club, Surrey, England. The event is one of the most prestigious on the European Tour calendar and always attracts one of the year’s strongest fields. Titleist will be well represented by the likes of Robert Karlsson, Rory McIlroy and Ross Fisher who will all have realistic designs on lifting the trophy and the winner’s share of the €4.5 million prize fund. High stakes are sure to result in high drama and the event promises to be quite a spectacle. The Titleist Tour team will be on site with the TTSV and next week’s Tour Blog will reveal all from inside the ropes at the event.

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