Preview & outright plays:
The week after the shortest-priced winner on the European Tour for some time and we move to a new course that has not been used before on Tour! With the likes of Monty, Clarke, Harrington, Bjorn and co. on view, a long-odds winner is unlikely, but they have all been defeated by long-shots this year already. In line with Murphy's policy on sponsoring the Irish Open, the venue is rotated each year and this year it is the turn of Fota Island, a links course near Cork which has been completely overhauled over the past two years. It is a short course with wide fairways and undulating greens with run-off areas. Good experience of links golf and a very deft touch around the greens should be characteristics of those that will play well this week.
The three selections are Jose Maria Olazabal, Phillip Price and Peter O'Malley. The open fairways should suit Olly's game as should the reliance on shots around the green, but he also brings a hugely impressive history in the Irish Open. He has played in the event seven times and finished in the top-10 on every occasion, including victory back in 1990. Already a winner this year at the French Open, he could certainly add another national title this week.
Phillip Price did not make the trip to the US Open as so many of this week's field did and he may be he fresher for the rest. He was however in excellent form, having won the Algarve Portuguese Open two months ago and finished 4th in the Volvo PGA Championship last month. Generally regarded as one of the best putters on Tour, he should have the game to feature this week.
Finally, O'Malley was a 50/1 winner at the English Open three weeks ago and he has had a deserved rest since. The Australian contingent has an excellent record on the European links courses and O'Malley is no different, he is a winner of the Scottish Open around Gleneagles. He has yet to finish in the top-5 in this event, but has the game to prosper on this course and comes into the event in great form.
Outright plays:
Jose Maria Olazabal to win 20/1 e.w. @
Stanley
Phillip Price to win 33/1 e.w. @
Victor Chandler or
Stanley
Peter O'Malley to win 40/1 e.w. @
Victor Chandler,
Stanley and others