Irish Open Preview
Europe's finest head to Adare Manor for one of the Tour's most prestigious events with home favourite Padraig Harrington leading the form guide.
Tournament: Irish Open
Course: Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort
Prize fund: 2,500,000
Course details: par 72, 7,453 yards. The Robert Trent Jones Senior design is built on the 840-acre estate of Adare Manor in Co Limerick. One of the course's main features is a 14-acre man-made lake that imposes on nearly all of the front nine. Length will also be a challenge this year as the course will be the longest in the competition's history.
Key hole: The par 4, 5th hole is all about the tee shot. Measuring 421 yards, the big hitters will take an aggressive line over the lake with a draw-shaped shot to avoid the bunker, while the shorter drivers will bail out down the left side of the fairway. Players then have to negotiate greenside bunkers as they face a tough, uphill approach, hit blind to a large putting surface.
The lowdown: The home contingent is strong, headed by world number 12 Padraig Harrington. Lee Westwood will hope to continue the form that saw him win for the first time in nearly four years last week. The 2003 Irish Open champion Michael Campbell will be looking to return to winning ways here.
Contenders: Padraig Harrington (pictured), Lee Westwood, Michael Campbell.
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