McIlroy Portrush repeat a long shot

Golf

Saturday, May 03, 2008

By Jack Magowan

The seas parted on the day Rory McIlroy holed Royal Portrush in only 61 flawless shots.

It was a record-breaking round so pure that it came with a halo, and is unlikely to be repeated now that the famous Dunluce course is to be lengthened, and toughened, ahead of future major championships.

All courses on the R and A's championship rota span over 7,000 yards, and at the request of St Andrews, Royal Portrush could soon weigh in at close to 7,200 yards, an increase of nearly 350 yards on the present card.

Martin Ebert, the R and A's top design consultant, has recommended new 'tiger tees' on seven holes, two of them short holes, with the first, eighth, 12th and 13th all stretched to par-4's of over 400 yards.

Even the tee on 17 may be pushed back a bit, thus bringing the huge 'Big Bertha' bunker more into play.

It was on this long hole that former Irish champion, Michael Edwards, hit a driver, plus THREE 3-woods and a three-iron to reach the green during a force-nine gale some years ago!

Arnold Palmer and Gary Player were both falsetto in their praise of Portrush as an Open venue while here for the Seniors' championship, and so would double-winner Brian Barnes have been had the links been longer and less vulnerable to assault, he felt.

A stiff test in wind, Barnsie called Dunluce. But without wind, like Samson shorn of his hair.

"I love this course, and so would guys like Woods, Harrington, Donald and Clarke if they were hitting short irons into so many greens," he says.

Royal Portrush is currently ranked No.12 on the ladder of world-best courses, and in the words of club manager Wilma Erskine, has 'a dance-like quality that sweeps you along in different directions'.

"Improved technology, and a ball that now flies a mile, have shortened all the game's great courses, so we're not unique," says Wilma. "Only new championship tees highlight changes planned for the links, and we're especially proud, too, of our new practise area."

Work on this re-modelling project will begin in the autumn, cost over £80,000, and may be carried out by the Cork firm now building the new Faldo-designed Lough Erne resort course near Enniskillen.

They are also links' specialists, and have left an indelible footprint on course like Royal Birkdale, scene of this season's Open, and near-neighbours Lytham.

Of all Britain's great links, none pose a stronger challenge off the tee than Portrush. Not because of savage rough or penal sand hazards, but greens protected by humps and hollows, plus a massive mound or two.

A sound long game, and surgeon's touch near the flag, are the key to good figures there, as a magical McIlroy - he's 19 tomorrow - proved so conclusively with a sensational card of nine birdies and an eagle for that brilliant 61. It was a round which now looks certain to remain for ever in the record books.

Wallace McMaster, capped 18 times by Ireland in rugby, is the Royal Portrush club's new captain. His home is in Ballymena.