I’ll roar on local heroes
We’ve had one Cinderella story in the past few months – it would be too much to expect another. Wouldn’t it? Tiger Woods’ victory at Augusta was one of the greatest comebacks of all time and the stage is set at Portrush for a different slice of romanticism.
On a global stage Tiger’s fairytale may not be eclipsed by the sight of Rory McIlroy – or Darren Clarke or Graeme McDowell – walking down the 18th about to win The Open next Sunday night. But it wouldn’t fall far short in the eyes of the public.
After a 68-year hiatus in The Open schedule, to mark a return by one of their own lifting the Claret Jug – well, that would be something special.
For Clarke, who now calls Portrush his home, and McDowell, who grew up playing there, it would tug at the heart-strings for different reasons.
But of that trio McIlroy – who learnt his trade down the road at Holywood – has the best chance and I think there’s one word which sums up why this year, he is likely to be in the shake-up.
Consistency. His recent results suggests that he is finding a level somewhere near the top of the game and I think he is striking the ball incredibly well.
If you look at his run – he won the Players’ Championship at Sawgrass three months ago and has posted top-ten finishes in the PGA and the US Open – he’s not too far away.
But if he is going to hog the headlines, he is going to have to becalm Portrush which is a true links course.
For reasons beyond everyone’s control it hasn’t been a fixture on the R&A’s calendar but hopefully next week will showcase it for all the right reasons.