The first round is in the books at the Irish Open. The tournament dates back to 1927 and is played on some great venues.
Jamie Donaldson will defend this week. He has been a professional golfer since 2000 and collected his first European Tour win last year at Royal Portrush.
Mark James, Ian Woosnam, Seve Ballesteros, Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer and Colin Montgomerie won this event on multiple occasions. The legendary Christy O’Connor Sr. won his national championship, the Irish Open, four times.
With the emergence of, Padraig Harrington, Darren Clarke, Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy as major winners, golf fans in Ireland have a renewed pride in their place in golf history.
The Irish Open annually draws some of the largest galleries on the European Tour. The 2012 Irish Open held at Royal Portrush drew 131,000 fans for the week.
In addition to Royal Portrush, it is played on some of the finest golf courses the world has to offer. The Montgomerie Course at Carton House hosts the 2013 Irish Open. Ballybunion, Adare, Portmarnock and Druids Glen have also hosted the tournament over the last 15 years.
Oscar Loren turned in the low round at the Irish Open on Thursday with a six-under par 66 to take a one-shot lead. Loren is ranked No. 169 on the Race to Dubai. He does not have a win and has only had four top-10 finishes in 75 starts on the European Tour.
Five players are tied for the second spot at five-under par. Shane Lowry, Michael Hoey, Joost Luiten, American Peter Uihlein and Jean-Baptiste Gonnet all posted 67’s in the first round.
Six players are tied at four-under par. Andrew Dodt, Cian McNamara, Thomas Bjorn, Paul Casey, Jose’ Maria Olazabal and Mikael Lundberg all turned in 68.
The 2013 European Team Ryder Cup Captain, Paul McGinley shot two-under par 70 and is T-26 after the first round.
Graeme McDowell and Padraig Harrington both posted one-under par 71 and are T-32.
It appears that Rory McIlroy is still struggling to regain top form. He turned the front nine in even par-36, but struggled on the back nine with three bogies and one birdie. He finished at two-over par 74 and is T-98.
Another favorite son from Ireland, 2012 Open Champion, Darren Clarke shot a three-over par 75.
It appears the cut will come around one-over par after the second round.
Clarke and McIlroy have some work to do on Friday if they want to stick around for the weekend.