BJORN AGAIN in the Irish Open

Carton House estate sounds like it should be holding family fundays rather than Golf tournaments. This though is the venue for the Irish Open with the event returning to the course for the first time since 2006 (it also hosted it in 2005). The County Kildare course has been described as an ’Inland Links’ course and the Colin Montgomerie design is inspired by many of the courses in Scotland. It is a strong driving course with some punishing bunkers.

Irish Golfers are high among the betting with Rory McIlroy the 17/2 (sportingbet) favourite for the event . McIlroy will have to drag himself away from Wimbledon where his girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki is currently playing. The Northern Irishman does not have a good record here failing to make the cut here back in 2005. His recent record is not encouraging either with a tied 41st at the US Open and a tied 57th in the Memorial. He looks much too short for me and it makes sense then to look elsewhere in the field for some value.

Graeme McDowell is a 16/1 (sportingbet/paddy Power) chance though he has even worse course form missing the cut here in both 2005 and 2006. G-Mac has also missed the cut in his last two events played and looks one to avoid. Padraig Harrington is 20/1 (GENERAL) and he does have a good record in this event winning it in 2007 and he finished finish at this course in 2005 and 11th in 2006. Harrington has to be respected but others appeal more especially with the play he played last weekend.

Shane Lowry is a 25/1 (GENERAL) chance and he might have a few supporters as he is the touring professional at Carton House. I can not put anyone off backing Lowry though he will not be part of my staking plan. What about those non-Irish names expect to contend? Well Ross Fisher is another who has to be respected as the Englishman finished fifth when this venue last held the tournament. Italian Francesco Molinari is a 33/1 (GENERAL) chance while the selection last week Joost Luiten is also available at 33/1 (GENERAL) . Norea Masters winner Mikko Ilonen is a 40/1 (ladbrokes/CORAL) shot as are Paul Lawrie and Richard Sterne (GENERAL).

The headline selection is Thomas Bjorn at 16/1 (GENERAL) who ticks all the boxes. The Dane is in fantastic form with a fourth and two seconds from his last three starts. Bjorn was unlucky to run into an on-fire Ernie Els last week in the Munich Open when finishing as arunner-up. Course form is also something that must be noted with Bjorn as he was the winner here in 2006 when the event was last played at this venue.

Another player I like is Damien McGrane who can be backed at 124/1 (888 SPORT) for victory at 100/1 (GENERAL) each way or 9/1(BETVICTOR) to finish in the top ten. McGrane has finished 14th in his last two starts in and his game seems to be looking good. The County Meath native finished in the top 20 in 2006 and with a strong local crowd getting behind him should do even better this time around.

BEST OF THE BEST GOLD: Thomas Bjorn in the Irish Open, EW 16/1 (GENERAL)
SILVER: Damien McGrane to finish in the top 10, 9/1 (BET VICTOR)
BRONZE: Damien McGrane in the Irish Open, EW 100/1 (boylesports/BET VICTOR/paddy Power) who pay ¼ the top six.

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01/07/2013     © Frixo 2026