6 Facts about the Irish Open and Royal County Down

The European Tour arrives at Royal County Down for the Irish Open this week and ahead of the tournament we take a look at 6 facts you may or may not know about the Irish Open and Royal County Down.

1. Keeping it in the family

The Irish Open was only in its second year, in 1928, when the event was held at Royal County Down. It was won by the Englishman, Ernest Whitcombe. Two years later, at Royal Portrush, his brother Charles won the tournament. It took the third brother, Reg, another six years before he could claim the Irish Open for himself, at Royal Dublin.

2. Leading Host Venue

The Irish Open has been held in Northern Ireland on ten occasions: Royal Portrush held it four times (1930, 1937, 1947, 2012); Royal County Down three times (1928, 1935, 1939); Belvoir Park in 1949 and 1953; and Malone Golf Club in 1933. This year will see Royal County Down match Royal Portrush.

3. Northern Ireland Setting Records

When the Irish Open returned to Northern Ireland in 2012, it was the first time in over 50 years. The event set records, being the first ever European Tour event to sell out in advance (25,000 tickets a day). Royal County Down (20,000 tickets a day) has already sold out on Fri/Sat/Sun.

4. Lowest 18 Hole Score

The Northern Irish connection continues as the lowest 18-hole score in an Irish Open was achieved by Graeme McDowell. His 61 (11 under) was recorded at County Louth in 2009, the year that amateur Shane Lowry triumphed.

5. Course Record & McIlroy Connection

The Royal County Down course record is 66. It was set by the Irish golfing legend Jimmy Bruen, in 1939, in the opening round of that year’s Irish Open. The unofficial record is held by Rory McIlroy, who is reported to have scored 61 in 2005… aged 16. McIlroy also holds the official record of 61 at Royal Portrush, also when he was aged 16.

6. Course Design & Development

Old Tom Morris is acclaimed as the course designer (and received the princely sum of four pounds for his efforts when the course opened in 1889), but it was one of the club’s early Captain’s, George Combe, who really shaped the course in the 15 years after Old Tom. Indeed, only six of Old Tom’s holes remained once Combe had finished. Further work was done by Harry Colt in the 1920s, but it is Combe who deserves much of the credit for creating one of today’s world class links.

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