An Irish Open miscellany by   PHILIP REID

Michael Campbell: Back in the swing at Killarney

FORMER US Open champion Michael Campbell – who has slumped to 701st in the world rankings – has used Darren Clarke’s British Open triumph to get a new lease of life on tour.

“The inspiration that Big D gave me a few weeks ago in winning . . . . he’s 42 and I’m 42. He won a Major. It’s definitely a motivational point for me to go out there and play, to still play and compete,” said Campbell after opening with a 66 that included a run of birdie-birdie-eagle-birdie from the 14th.

Campbell, winner of the US Open at Pinehurst in 2005, has endured a miserable time on the European Tour this season, making only six of 18 cuts.

Yesterday, it was like the Kiwi of old as he drove well and used the putter only 27 times in getting into contention.

“I’ve won twice in Ireland – the European Open ( 2002) and the Irish Open (2003) – so I tend to do well here . . . the crowds are fantastic, whether you’re Irish or New Zealand or Australian, they all support you.”

By the numbers

18,303– The first day's attendance.

2– The number of eagles on the par four first hole, recorded by Paul Cutler and Richard Bland.

68– The number of players who shot sub-par rounds.

5– The Major champions in the field: Darren Clarke, Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell, Pádraig Harrington and Michael Campbell.

Horsey around: Irish roots

THERE’S a reason David Horsey uses a green shamrock as the mark on his ball – his mother hails from Cork, with many of the extended family due to drive down the N22 in the next few days to add some support to his quest for glory.

And the Englishman, who made a breakthrough win on tour in the BMW International last season and added the Hassan Trophy earlier this year, got off to a decent start with a 68 in a marquee group that featured Rory McIlroy and holder Ross Fisher.

“It’s great to watch Rory play and to learn from it, really. I’m still learning my trade a little bit and try to pick up as much information as I can to help me with my game,” said Horsey.

He knows Rors well; he was on the same Walker Cup team as McIlroy at Royal Co Down in 2007.

Cutler's dream start

Shot of the day?

It belonged to Portstewart amateur Paul Cutler, who holed out from 133 yards with a wedge on the first hole for an eagle two.

“I didn’t see the ball go in, but I heard the roars . . . it was a dream start.”

Cutler, the Irish Close champion who is expected to earn a place on the Britain and Ireland Walker Cup team later this year, shot a 69 to put him in sight of achieving his initial goal in the tournament which is to make the cut.

“My first priority is to make it through to the last two days,” he said.

“I’m just going to play my normal game and not worry about results . . . last year I was worried about what I was shooting and where I was finishing. This year it’s all about keeping things as simple as possible and playing my own game.”

Hoey's major hope

NO DOUBT how highly Michael Hoey places the Irish Open on his list of career goals.

Asked if he’d been inspired by the deeds this summer of Messrs McIlroy and Clarke, the Belfastman responded: “This would be my Major. I would rank this as a Major if I played well over the next few days. This is great, with the support and the atmosphere.”