LAURA DAVIES got to grips with the acclimatisation process yesterday by having a few pints of beer and a friendly chat with the locals.
Then she had her first look at Citywest, where she will be attempting to capture a third successive Guardian Irish. Open title, starting this morning.
She faces a significantly different challenge from 12 months ago at St Margaret's. There, a truly staggering performance saw her produce a record, 25 under par aggregate of 267 and a record winning margin of 16 strokes over the young Swede, Asa Gottmo.
On this occasion, an increased fund of £110,000 carries a top prize of £16,500. Meanwhile without adopting a negative approach to the challenge, the Irish professional quartet of Aideen Rogers, Tracy Eakin, Maureen Madill and Lynn McCool, will have noted that there are four figure cheques on offer down to 33rd position.
Arguably the most fascinating aspect of the change of venue is whether the tighter Citywest stretch, designed by Christy O'Connor Jnr, will inhibit Davies's continued dominance of the event. "It's certainly different," she admitted, after competing in the pre-championship pro-am. Then, significantly, she added "I'm very impressed with the overall layout, though there are a few potential nightmares out there if you go for too much."
The current world number two went on. "For me, playing at St Margaret's was essentially a power game but I will have to adopt a more strategic approach here. There will be no smashing my way around with the driver as I did last year." That view was shared by caddie, Matthew Adams, even after his employer had reduced the 354 yard first to drive, sand wedge and a tap in birdie putt.
"We're likely to be using a two iron rather than a driver there tomorrow," he said. Meanwhile, Davies proceeded to complete a run of three opening birdies by hitting an eight iron to four feet at the 150 yard second and then reducing the 484 yard third to a drive, three iron and a chip dead. After a two week break at her home in England, the champion., was settling in rather well.
A field of 125 professionals and five Irish amateurs Suzanne Fanagan, Yvonne Cassidy, Denise McCarthy, Sinead Keane and Eileen Rose Power will be playing a course measuring 6,106 yards, with a par of 72. This contrasts with an overall length of 6,044 yards at St Margaret's which had a par of 73.
Noted for the severity of the dog legs at the eighth and ninth holes and the challenge of a medium iron over water at the 18th, the Citywest layout has undergone a minor adjustment in preparation for the tournament. With a view to tightening up the driving area at the 375 yard ninth, O'Connor has had three new pot bunkers included down the right and a strip bunker down the left, at the critical distance off the tee.
Given her splendid achievement in finishing runner up in the Costa Azul Open in Portugal in May, Rogers is clearly the leading home challenger. And her current well being can be gauged by outstanding form in the Ford Ladies' Challenge at Citywest last Tuesday, when she earned £1,000 as the top professional with a five under par 67. Indeed her closest challengers were three. strokes back.
But the Irish players would readily concede that Davies has more than earned her status as the focus of attention. More importantly, the top European challengers take a similar view. Among them is Marie Laure De Lorenzi, the current leader of the Solheim Cup rankings.
Did the change of venue reduce the champion's prospects of a third successive Irish Open win? "It is not the type of course you would pick to suit Laura's game, but she is still the favourite," replied the French player. "I say that because I believe she is the best player in the world. She must have a great chance."
De Lorenzi went on. "I like the design of the course which is obviously new. You have to think your way around here, placing your shots, particularly off the tee, whereas it was possible to hit it long at St Margaret's most of the time. So, it may bring the field closer together. I certainly like my own chances."
Davies has four victories to her credit already this year and heads from here to Canada next Tuesday. "I have been playing well and any further success has got to be a bonus," she said, having secured her most recent European. success in the Evian Masters ink France, last month. But her biggest win so far this season was ink the McDonald's LPGA Championship in the US in May an event that has major status.
There is a disarming warmth about her, which leaves one in no doubt about her sincerity when she talks of her delight at returning here. "I love the tournament and particularly the people, who make me feel most welcome" she said. Will she win again? "I will be surprised if I do, though I will be trying my best." For her many admirers here, that will do nicely.
