Before leaving Scotland for the defence of his £400,000 sterling Senior British Open crown here at Royal Co Down, Christy O'Connor Jnr received a gentle warning from a celebrated, recent visitor. "Tiger Woods told me the course was so firm and fast it made St Andrews look like a paddock," said the Galwayman.
The newly-crowned British Open champion played the Newcastle stretch as the culmination of his Irish build-up to the Open. And he met up with O'Connor in St Andrews, who was there on a special exemption as the senior champion of 1999, when he became the first Irish winner of the title at Royal Portrush.
Woods was not exaggerating. In fact a common topic among the leading challengers yesterday was the firmness of the links, which prompted Gary Player to remark expansively: "This is going to tame lions."
"I wouldn't like to venture what might happen here if the wind starts to blow. We could certainly see a lot of high scores.
"I've played here before and what makes it so difficult is that you have seven blind holes," Player added. "That's going to make it all the more difficult, but I must say that the greenkeeper has done a fantastic job. The greens are way better than they were at St Andrews for the Open, which were the worst I have seen in my 45 years as a pro."
The distinguished South African made the point that it was costing US-based players £6,000 to compete here, whereas they can compete for $1.3 million every week at home. So, without a high finish, it would be difficult to make financial sense of their presence.
Still, a quality entry which includes Hubert Green, Tom Wargo, Dave Stockton, Brian Barnes and Bob Charles reflects the priceless pioneering work by Arnold Palmer, who gave strong support to this event since its inception at Turnberry in 1987.
Of course the pity is that it came too late for Christy O'Connor Snr, who was some way past his senior peak at that stage. But he was seventh behind Charles at Turnberry in 1989 and was tied ninth behind Player the following year. And now, only five months before his 76th birthday, he is back in action once more, in a three-ball with Peter Townsend and Brian Waites, starting at 9.40 this morning.
His nephew, who had reason to feel buoyed after a fine performance at St Andrews, where he shot 290, has been adjusting to the conditions predicted by Woods since his arrival on Tuesday. "I feel good and I have my heart set on retaining the title," he said.
O'Connor went on: "My first visit to Royal Co Down was in 1968, when I played in a Hilary Society outing with Joe Carr and I came back here with some American friends about six weeks ago. I like it, but it takes a bit of knowing, especially in its present condition."
He heads a strong Irish challenge which includes (in draw order): Paddy McGuirk, Paul Leonard, David Jones, O'Connor Snr, Liam Higgins, Arthur Spring, Frank Gannon, Ernie Jones, Gordon Parkhill, Kenny Stevenson, Joe McDermott, Eddie Polland, Denis O'Sullivan and Barry Reddan. Reddan is the only amateur among the Irish contingent.
Among the Americans, the return of Green is especially welcome, given his status as a former US Open and USPGA champion and the fact that he captured the Irish Open title at Portmarnock in 1977. "I've always wanted to come back," he said, having last played here in 1980.
"I love these style of courses. If it was on an American-style course I wouldn't be here. In fact I wish we had places like this back home. Over there, we call places that are 40 miles from the water links courses. That's garbage. This is the real thing."
In capturing the title on its last staging at Royal Portrush 12 months ago, O'Connor overcame a wretched start of 77, which left him seven strokes behind the leaders at that stage. With rounds of 69, 68 and 69 for a six-under-par aggregate of 282, he cruised to a threestroke win over South African John Bland, with Player a stroke further back.
