Only seven Irish pros will feature tomorrow as the Irish Open begins - Shane Lowry, Padraig Harrington and Paul Dunne included - and I genuinely can’t remember the last time so few home pros started an Irish Open.
A reduced field hasn’t helped but surely with a limited entry list short on star quality we should have seen more Irish pros ‘looked after’ with invitations. It’s disappointing.
On the upside, it’s fantastic we’re even having an Irish Open at all after the original Mount Juliet venue fell victim to Covid-19 restrictions in the Republic.
Hopefully Shane can spearhead a home charge and gives us something to cheer about in strange times but my money is going elsewhere this week.
IRISH OPEN TIPS
Ryan Fox - 22/1 EW
A Challenge Tour winner at Galgorm Castle four years ago when he won the 2016 Northern Ireland open, so Kiwi boasts valuable course knowledge.
Mikko Korhonen - 40/1 EW
Finnish player is a steady operator who doesn’t mind a tough lay out. His three post-lockdown outings include a T6 at the Hero Open at Forest of Arden.
Cormac Sharvin - 100/1 EW
My outside bet is one of our homegrown players. Sharvin finished T9 here at the 2018 Northern Ireland Open and he should thrive in familiar surroundings.
CORALES PUNTACANA CHAMPIONSHIP TIPS
Thomas Detry - 25/1 EW
Belgian has gone really close with two seconds in the last seven weeks. A different environment back in the States could pave the way for a big week.
Luke List - 35/1 EW
Has struggled for form since recording a top-10 finish at the Memorial in July, but a generous layout at the Corales Golf Course should suit American big hitter.
Charley Hoffman - 40/1 EW
It has been a mixed bag for the former World No20 since a T7 at the Workday Charity Open in July, but this is good each way value for a proven player.
