Should Shane Lowry, an Irishman, express such sentiments regarding Royal County Down, players on the DP World Tour should prepare themselves for the upcoming Irish Open this week.
Royal County Down is renowned as one of the most stunning golf courses globally, a breathtaking haven located at the base of the Mourne Mountains by the Irish Sea.
However, it is incredibly challenging, so much so that it could host the Open Championship annually—though this might result in more mental strain for the tour professionals than we would prefer to witness.
Still, the Championship Links in Newcastle, Northern Ireland, are set to welcome the top competitors of the DP World Tour for this week’s Amgen Irish Open, making its return to Royal County Down for the first time since 2015. In that year, Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen triumphed in a playoff against Bernd Wiesberger and Eddie Pepperell, with all three finishing their 72 holes at 2-under-par.
Shane Lowry, the 2009 Irish Open champion at County Louth Golf Club while still an amateur, anticipates that the scores will be elevated this week.
“I had forgotten how challenging it was. This will be an extraordinary test,” Lowry remarked on Wednesday.
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I believe this week could see one of the highest winning scores ever recorded in a European Tour event. Would I consider taking a level par and just waiting it out? Maybe. It’s going to be quite challenging.
Certainly, managing to shoot an even-par 71 for four consecutive days at Royal County Down’s Championship Links would leave any professional golfer feeling pleased and cheerful. Achieving par is a solid accomplishment, even in favorable weather. However, you never know when a sudden downpour might sweep down from the mountains and disrupt a lovely day. It can happen in an instant, and the wind can change direction just as quickly. This unpredictability only adds to the difficulty of playing at Royal County Down.
Lowry remarked, “It appears that your strategy involves targeting the front edge of each green and aiming for par on every hole. If you maintain this approach, I believe you will perform adequately.”
He continued, “This course will largely depend on how well you handle your mistakes and ensuring they occur in the appropriate areas. I will be teeing off in approximately 24 hours, which gives me that time to determine the optimal places to miss on each hole. My goal is to navigate the course effectively, as this week will focus less on executing perfect shots and more on managing the less favorable ones to avoid significant trouble.”
Challenges like gorse, thick rough, and daunting bunkers are present throughout Royal County Down. The towering sand dunes that define this course are also off-limits. They contribute to numerous blind shots, making it a nerve-wracking experience for every golfer, regardless of skill level.
“Honestly, this course is just really tough,” Lowry remarked.
“It’s a demanding challenge, requiring excellent golf, plenty of patience, and sinking a lot of par putts. Success this week will depend on performing well in all aspects.”
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