GOLF: Rory McIlroy's exploits in the desert when securing his maiden professional win at the Dubai Desert Classic two weeks ago, plus his meteoric rise up to 15th in the world, has now seen the teenager pick up the first Race to Dubai European Tour golfer of the month award.
McIlroy edged out England’s Justin Rose in a dramatic finish at the Emirates Golf Club where he won by one shot on 19-under. The 19-year-old had been six shots ahead at one stage in the final round but it all came down to the final hole.
After laying up at the par five 18th the Holywood teenager overshot the green and left himself with a treacherous up and down to win. With a wise head on young shoulders, and great composure, he splashed the bunker shot out to within four feet and holed the winning putt.
“It was a huge thrill to win my first European Tour title against such a high quality field and in the place where the Race to Dubai will be decided in ten months time,” said McIlroy after receiving the €323,514 winner’s cheque.
“Obviously, I’d love to be back at the end of the season competing for the Dubai World Championship and the number one spot in the Race to Dubai. The win has given me a lot of confidence and I’ll be looking to use that to continue to improve for the rest of the year.”
McIlroy is currently second in the Race to Dubai standings with earnings of €609,414 from six events. Spain’s Sergio Garcia leads the way with €763,481 from four starts.
After rocketing up the world rankings, the monthly award winner has guaranteed himself starts in all four majors this year and is also due to play in the WGC - Accenture World Matchplay at Dove Mountain in the States next week.
McIlroy was a unanimous recipient of the award when up against other Tour winning contenders including Denmark’s Anders Hansen (Joburg Open), England’s Paul Casey (Abu Dhabi Golf Championship) and Spain’s Alvaro Quiros (Qatar Masters).
Closer to home Ballybunion Golf Club in Kerry was today confirmed as the new venue for the 2009 Irish Seniors Open in association with AIB and Fáilte Ireland
The Old Course at Ballybunion is regarded as one of the best links courses in Ireland and is where the 2000 Irish Open was staged when Sweden’s Patrik Sjöland emerged victorious and Paul McGinley finished as leading Irishman in a tie for third.
The Irish Senior Open is the 17th confirmed event on the 2009 schedule and will be played over the 6,598-yard Ballybunion links from June 5th-7th, 2009.
The 453 yard par four 11th is named ‘Watsons’ in recognition of Ballybunion’s Millennium Captain and Honorary Life Member, Tom Watson.
Watson, a three-time winner of the Senior British Open, gave his own glowing reference of the course after he responsible for some upgrade work to the course.
“Having played the Old Course at Ballybunion many times since my first visit in 1981, I am now of the opinion it is one of the best and most beautiful tests of links golf anywhere in the world,” said Watson.
Billy Andrews of AIB said: “We are delighted to sponsor the Irish Seniors Open at such a prestigious venue and we look forward to working once again with our co-sponsors, Fáilte Ireland, and the European Senior Tour.”
Today’s news is another welcome return to links courses for tournament golf in this country. This year’s Irish Open on the European Tour heads back to County Louth Golf Club in from May 14th-17th after it was last staged on the Baltray links in 2004. The Ladies Irish Open will be played at Portmarnock Links in June after Norway’s Suzann Pettersen won there last year.
Last year’s Senior event was played on the rugged championship links at Ballyliffin Golf Club in Donegal links where Des Smyth’s final round 74 meant the Drogheda native lost by one shot to Spain’s Juan Quiros.
