Padraig Harrington's desire to get his game back into shape meant he didn't scurry home after missing the cut at the British Open at Royal Birkdale. Instead, the Dubliner remained in the region for some weekend remedial work - which he conducted with Bob Torrance - and headed off for Holland yesterday seeking an upturn in his season's fortunes.
The three Irish "big guns" - Harrington, Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley - all missed the cut in Birkdale, just as they had done in the Murphy's Irish Open at Druids Glen. However, they get an opportunity to bounce back in this week's Dutch Open at Hilversumsche Golf Club in Hilversum. John McHenry - unlike Justin Rose - failed in his bid to win a sponsor's invite.
In all there are six Irish players in the field: Harrington, Clarke, McGinley, Des Smyth, who was the top Irish finisher in the Open and earned an exemption into next year's championship at Carnoustie, Philip Walton and Raymond Burns, who badly needs a good pay-day to move up the Volvo rankings.
Yesterday, the organisers of the Smurfit European Open at The K Club on August 20th to 23rd confirmed that Sweden's PerUlrik Johansson, the winner for the past two years, will be returning to defend his title. Bernhard Langer, the winner in 1995, and Seve Ballesteros have also confirmed their participation. Former US Open champion Payne Stewart also recently announced that the tournament is included in his tour schedule.
"Nothing would give me greater pleasure than to complete a hat-trick (of titles)," said Johansson. "The Irish crowds are among the best in the world and I wish every week could be like the ones I've experienced at The K Club." The European Open has grown significantly since it was first held in 1978 with a prize-fund of £105,000. This year's event will have prize-money of £1.5 million. The tournament will take place two weeks before the European Ryder Cup qualifying campaign gets under way, but a decision on a successor to Ballesteros as Ryder Cup captain is unlikely to be made until August 26th. Sam Torrance and Bernhard Langer have confirmed that they want to be there as players and Mark James may now be the most likely choice.
Meanwhile, Warrenpoint assistant professional Robert Giles returns to earth with a bang this week. The 25-year-old Yorkshire-born player pulled off the remarkable feat of making it through regional and final qualifying to survive all four days at the British Open, but his target this week will be the Irish Club Professional Championship at Nuremore which starts tomorrow.
Giles, who intends to seek his tour card at the qualifying school in November, can expect a battle for the title from a number of players who have sampled European Tour life, among them Brendan McGovern and Stephen Hamill. Damien McGrane, John Kelly and Leslie Walker will also be contenders.
