I am free! I came out of self-isolating on Thursday and went to the range and wasted no time to give a lesson to one of my twin sons, Adam.
He is a tidy 1-handicap golfer and plays at Hallowes Golf Club in Sheffield, just down the road from my Rotherham club. He is in the Cowen family golf business and my advice to him is to concentrate on cutting grass (joking Adam!).
Rory McIlroy was obviously disappointed with his opening round of level par at a thrilling Dubai Duty Free Irish Open in Kilkenny. I spoke to him on the range after his round and he said he just did not play well. Lucas Herbert leads the pack and well deserves his lead. He better look over his shoulder as a whole clutch of players are waiting to pounce.
Rory felt there was a slightly stronger breeze for the afternoon starters and perhaps the smooth greens in the morning might have been a little bumpy in the afternoon. With 156 players in the field, inland courses can often struggle with so much play in a day.
Rory felt he was a little rusty after not doing much practice last week. Hence that is why he is playing again next week in the Scottish Open followed by the Open Championship at Royal St Georges the following week. Rory seems in good positive spirits and I expect a big improvement from him for his second round.
Sean Crocker did well and lies tied in fourth in a 15-player group on 67. This is no surprise as Sean is a fine striker of the ball and I look after his short game. If you shoot 67, your whole game including your short game must be in good shape.
Thomas Pieters shot a two-under 70, which is steady, but I feel this former Ryder Cup player should be scoring and playing better with all his extraordinary talent.
Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond shot a level-par 72 that he described as “fiddly” and it seems apparent that the golf course does not suit Jazz’s eye.
Graeme McDowell and Padraig Harrington both struggled and will have to play very good golf to make the cut that I predict will fall at three-under par and maybe even go to fours. I expect great things from my boys and the rest of the field as e warm up for the Open.
