Padraig Harrington and Robert MacIntyre give their thoughts on Royal County Down as the Irish Open gets underway

Add as preferred source on Google

Robert MacIntyre and Padraig Harrington are among the star names taking on the Irish Open at Royal County Down this week.

The DP World Tour’s Irish Open is already underway, with all those taking part know what is one of the best golf courses in the world.

It is, however, also going to be very difficult, with the weather potentially taking that difficulty to another level.

The strong field will also raise the level of competition, with previous winners Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry aiming to win the prestigious trophy.

McIlroy would love to win the Irish Open at Royal County Down, having grown up not far away from the iconic course.

Padraig Harrington and Robert MacIntyre describe Royal County Down

He won the event at The K Club in 2006, with Lowry clinching the title as an amateur at County Louth in 2009.

His fellow Irishman Harrington also won the competition at Adare Manor, with the 2007 champion now sharing his thoughts on Royal County Down.

When asked to describe the course by the DP World Tour, Harrington said in the pouring rain: “Well what day of the week are we describing? Right now, brutal. In general beautiful.”

And MacIntyre, who is aiming to become the first player to win the Scottish Open and Irish Open in the same season, described Royal County Down as “class”.

Rory McIlroy has a point to prove at the Irish Open

Home stars McIlroy, Harrington and Lowry will all fancy their chances of a strong showing at Royal County Down this week.

It will, however, mean the most to McIlroy, with the four-time major winner very close to his home town of Holywood.

He will also feel like he has a point to prove to the home fans, who will likely need to battle wind and rain in order to witness their favourites in action.

READ MORE: Irish Open 2024: How to Watch, Predictions, Prize Money, Dates & Everything You Need To Know

McIlroy missed the cut not far away at Royal Portrush at The Open Championship in 2019, having suffered the same fate when Royal County Down hosted the Irish Open in 2015.

But it is a course that he knows well, having played for Great Britain & Ireland in the Walker Cup at the venue all the way back in 2007.

McIlroy wants to clean up his game, with plenty still on the line for the world number three in the coming months after his PGA Tour season came to an end.