Irish Open Preview, Picks & Analysis

Post by Sports Writer Derek Clements

RORY McILROY leads a star-studded field as the Irish Open returns to the K Club, just outside Dublin. We are now in the middle of May and this is only the second time this year that the European Tour has visited its home continent as we begin a stretch of wonderful tournaments and the season gets into full swing.

We are often told that Scottish fans are the most passionate and knowledgeable in world golf, but just don't let any Irishman or woman hear you express that view. They will turn out in their tens of thousands to watch Europe's finest at the K Club and you will be able to hear them in Scotland if one of their own should win the tournament.

The Irish Open is being hosted by the Rory Foundation, with a huge amount of money being raised for McIlroy's charity. One of many attractions will be An Evening With Rory on Tuesday, during which actor James Nesbit will act as host as McIlroy and Sir Alex Ferguson take to the stage at the Convention Centre in Dublin and answer questions from the audience.

It goes without saying that the organisers would love nothing more than a victory by Rory McIlroy but, quite apart from his current playing struggles, he will have a huge amount on his plate and will do wonderfully well to contend, let alone win.

Soren Kjeldsen marked his return to the big time by winning 12 months ago to join an illustrious list of recent winners. In 2014 it was Mikko Ilonen, the winner in 2013 was Paul Casey, in 2012 it was Jamie Donaldson, the 2011 winner was Simon Dyson and the year before that Ross Fisher took the spoils. But the win they all remember, and the one that gives every golfer hope that anything is possible, was 2009, when Shane Lowry sent the Irish wild by winning his home open as an amateur.

And Lowry is the likeliest home winner again. Seven years on, he is now one of the best players in the world, playing most of his golf on the PGA Tour. He will be a key member of Darren Clarke's European Ryder Cup team and will relish the prospect of the great expectations that will be placed on his shoulders by the Irish crowd. This course ought to suit him right down to the ground, and he will not mind what the weather conditions are. When he won back in 2009 the wind was howling and the rain was battering down.

Danny Willett makes his first appearance on European soil since winning The Masters. There are those who have not given Willett the credit he deserves for what he achieved at Augusta, but never forget that he shot a final round of 67 and played flawlessly when the pressure was really on. Willett has now become a world-class performer and expects to win every time he tees off. 

Russell Knox is another who has burst into the big time with a WGC tournament win to his name, along with a whole host of top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour. Knox joined the European Tour with the express purpose of trying to qualify for the Ryder Cup team, and the Scot won't be at all bothered if he arrives in Dublin to find some typical Irish weather. He learnt to play the game in and around Inverness, after all.

If you don't follow the PGA Tour then you may not be familiar with David Lingmerth but the Swede is a class act. He has Popeye-style forearms, hits the ball a mile and has a glorious touch around the greens. And he is not afraid of winning.

My pick is Matthew Fitzpatrick, who is now due a second European Tour win to add to his victory at the British Masters at Woburn last season. He played really well at Augusta and, the harder the course and bigger the occasion, the better the young Yorkshireman seems to play. Like Willett, he is from Sheffield and he has been inspired by what Willett achieved at Augusta. Fitzpatrick has no weaknesses and if there is a player in the top 50 with a better temperament then I can't think who it is.

To Win

Matthew Fitzpatrick. Class act

Each Way

Rory McIlroy. Would love to give home fans something to cheer about

Each Way

Shane Lowry. In great form

Fantasy Picks

Matthew Fitzpatrick. Another win is just around the corner

Rory McIlroy. Can he eliminate the mistakes?

Shane Lowry. The wilder the weather, the happier he will be

Danny Willett. Has massive self- belief these days

Russell Knox. Desperate to pick up some Ryder Cup points

Lee Westwood. Back on track after near-miss at Augusta

David Lingmerth. Could easily win

Martin Kaymer. Due another bogweek

Graeme McDowell. Should be inspired by Irish fans

James Morrison. A great outside bet.