2011 Irish Open

[deasy55]

If you take out the Irish players then it's a shocking field but that's to be expected with no title sponsor and the prize fund halved from last year.

I will be attending all 4 days regardless

GMac running competitions every few days for free tickets.

Todays trivia question he is asking is:

How many major titles have been won by an Irish pro? First 10 correct answers emailed to tickets@europeantour.com win pairs of any day tix

[makaveli]

Hreat move from Gmac!!

[deasy55]

I'm sure it wasn't his idea

Originally Posted by makaveli

Hreat move from Gmac!!

Correct answer was 7 by the way: " Competition over tweeps – correct ans was 7: Fred Daly, Padraig Harrington (3), Me, Rory McIlroy and Darren Clarke. Winners to follow... "

[makaveli]

Ok so let's say great suggestion given to Gmac! ;)

Originally Posted by deasy55

I'm sure it wasn't his idea

Correct answer was 7 by the way: "Competition over tweeps – correct ans was 7: Fred Daly, Padraig Harrington (3), Me, Rory McIlroy and Darren Clarke. Winners to follow...  "

[deasy55]

Well, early day tomorrow for me. The marquee group tees off at 7:50

[Tiger Spuds]

Don't know if anyone saw any footage from earlier but Rory hit a truly remarkable shot on 14. 40 or 50 yard hook from the rough around a massive tree to about 12 feet. It looked Tiger-esque.

[topspin4hand]

I'm just reading about how Rory let a journalist's criticism re: his course management get to him and Rory replied with, " shut up.... You're a commentator and a failed golfer, your opinion means nothing! " Lol, we'll see how the media - who has rightfully been in love with Rors the past few weeks - handles the exchange.

[deasy55]

I witnessed it in person today. It's one of those shots that you can't really describe the true scale of how great it was

Originally Posted by Tiger Spuds

Don't know if anyone saw any footage from earlier but Rory hit a truly remarkable shot on 14. 40 or 50 yard hook from the rough around a massive tree to about 12 feet. It looked Tiger-esque.

[deasy55]

Well the media over here are basically saying he had a right to respond to Jay Townsend due to him saying that he should fire his caddy (and hire Stevie Williams) and that his course management was the worst he has ever seen beyond under 10 boys golf competition . .

That's the home media perspective though, could be seen from a different perspective elsewhere. I doubt this will be a big deal anywhere else though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by topspin4hand

I'm just reading about how Rory let a journalist's criticism re: his course management get to him and Rory replied with, "shut up.... You're a commentator and a failed golfer, your opinion means nothing!" Lol, we'll see how the media - who has rightfully been in love with Rors the past few weeks - handles the exchange.

[topspin4hand]

Irish Central says that the "replace him with Stevie" comment was made by Townsend *after* Rory had made the "shut up" comment.  Ultimately, Rory will learn that no matter what the media says he will have to rise above it. This was very much the type of comment I'd expect from a 22-year old, but very out of step for Rory. He's sort of spoiled us with polite, thoughtful remarks showing a lot of humility.  I actually like this little exchange. I don't want stars to be nice gentlemen all the dayum time!

Originally Posted by deasy55

Well the media over here are basically saying he had a right to respond to Jay Townsend due to him saying that he should fire his caddy (and hire Stevie Williams) and that his course management was the worst he has ever seen beyond under 10 boys golf competition . .

That's the home media perspective though, could be seen from a different perspective elsewhere. I doubt this will be a big deal anywhere else though.

[deasy55]

http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2011/tournamentid=2011053/videoaudio/videoid=141476.html

You can find the Rory shot there. If you click the Day 1 highlights video

[deasy55]

Apparently Townsend has been making digs in various media outlets about Rory's caddie JP Fitzgerald and Rory himself ever since The Masters. Rory was asked about his comments after and he said Townsends latest twitter comment "was the straw that broke the camel's back". He also says he has him blocked on twitter now so won't be reading his comments anymore (must have learned something from this site )

Originally Posted by topspin4hand

Irish Central says that the "replace him with Stevie" comment was made by Townsend *after* Rory had made the "shut up" comment.  Ultimately, Rory will learn that no matter what the media says he will have to rise above it. This was very much the type of comment I'd expect from a 22-year old, but very out of step for Rory. He's sort of spoiled us with polite, thoughtful remarks showing a lot of humility.  I actually like this little exchange. I don't want stars to be nice gentlemen all the dayum time!

In terms of the golf today, I have never seen crowds so large on a Thursday. And I've been to many Irish Opens and other various events!

[shades9323]

Hopefully a big deal isn't made out of it. I certainly have no issues with it.

Originally Posted by topspin4hand

Irish Central says that the "replace him with Stevie" comment was made by Townsend *after* Rory had made the "shut up" comment.  Ultimately, Rory will learn that no matter what the media says he will have to rise above it. This was very much the type of comment I'd expect from a 22-year old, but very out of step for Rory. He's sort of spoiled us with polite, thoughtful remarks showing a lot of humility.  I actually like this little exchange. I don't want stars to be nice gentlemen all the dayum time!

[topspin4hand]

It's one guy's criticism. He can't be that thin-skinned. Look at how Phil's decision-making is 2nd-guessed time and time again ... and then some.  Although it may be everyone's gut reaction, you can't just go around telling pundits to STFU when you're in Rory's position.

Glad you had a good time at the tourney ... I'm looking forward to seeing some highlights when I get home from work.

Originally Posted by deasy55

Apparently Townsend has been making digs in various media outlets about Rory's caddie JP Fitzgerald and Rory himself ever since The Masters. Rory was asked about his comments after and he said Townsends latest twitter comment "was the straw that broke the camel's back". He also says he has him blocked on twitter now so won't be reading his comments anymore (must have learned something from this site )

In terms of the golf today, I have never seen crowds so large on a Thursday. And I've been to many Irish Opens and other various events!

Me neither, I think Rory still has a big handful of passes that the media will allow him to use up.

Originally Posted by shades9323

Hopefully a big deal isn't made out of it. I certainly have no issues with it.

[deasy55]

I have also come to the conclusion that Harrington has turned into Seve. And not 80s Seve....90s Seve

He drove it into a carpark off the first tee. He still made par from there though

He hit a grand total of 9 greens today. Oh how the mighty have fallen.

[Zwick]

I think Rory answered immature there. He should've better ignored it, I really dislike his reaction.

But the media won't make a big deal out of it, they need him as the next superstar. (Imagine if that comment was made by Phil or Tiger, Media would destroy them)

But his hook shot there was really cool

[Vermeer]

Originally Posted by topspin4hand

I'm just reading about how Rory let a journalist's criticism re: his course management get to him and Rory replied with, "shut up.... You're a commentator and a failed golfer, your opinion means nothing!" Lol, we'll see how the media - who has rightfully been in love with Rors the past few weeks - handles the exchange.

Yes we will have to wait and see.

Suspect that if Rory slips a bit the media will be after him. ( certainly in Europe)

Is he saying that unless your a successful golfer you cannot criticise the elite players (or their caddies) ?

[tmf9]

This Jay Townsend guy comes across as a complete clown to me.  I mean really He pulled a driver on a tight hole in the FIRST ROUND!  Who cares dude acts like its the final round and it cost Rory the tournament.  I dont get it the guys acting like Rory is out there playing like Tin Cup of something.  I really dont have a problem with how Rory responded, sometimes you just got to call an idiot an idiot.