Defending Alfred Dunhill Links Champion has sprung to the defence of fellow Ulsterman Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell skipping this week’s Scottish event.
Hoey relegated the U.S. Open winning duo into a respective second and joint third to capture the biggest single pay cheque of his pro career.
Defending Dunhill Links champion Michael Hoey signs a photograph of himself holding aloft the trophy last year. (Photo – Jenny Matthews/www.golffile.ie)
But Ryder Cup stars Paul Lawrie, Martin Kaymer and Peter Hanson along with USA rival Dustin Johnson have made the trip this week to the Home of Golf there is criticism the likes of McIlroy and McDowell have stayed away.
Also former World No.1 Lee Westwood, and winner in 2003, was a late withdrawal.
“I can understand the reason why they’re not playing here this week as no doubt the FedEx Cup Series would have been tiring and then to go straight into the Ryder Cup,” said Hoey.
“Rory is also playing in Turkey next week, so there is a lot of golf at present but then Dustin Johnson is here, and the tournament would be better if Luke Donald, Rory, and Lee Westwood were playing.
“They’re all probably too tired but then they played here two years ago after Celtic Manor and I am sure the fans would like to see them here. “
Shane Lowry needs to break out of his current 123rd World Ranking and move inside the top-100 this week if he’s to avoid the First Stage of PGA Tour qualifying.
However Lowry will look to draw on the inspiration gleaned from watching Europe’s stunning Medinah success in achieving his gaol.
“It was the best sporting moment I have ever witnessed,” said Lowry.
“The fact also that we all know the European Team players so well made it even more exciting.
“I mentioned it on Saturday night that at 11-5 it was over but when ‘Poults’ won his match to make it 10-6 I thought they had a real chance.
“I had been to the All-Ireland final on Sunday and got back to the house intending to get my things together to come over here to Scotland but I just didn’t leave the couch as I found myself glued to the TV.
“And watching the last day just makes to you determined for a least once in your career qualify for the team,” he said.
“Hopefully, one day I’ll be there myself.”
Double Dunhill winner Padraig Harrington returns to competition again teaming with Irish business tycoon, J P McManus, who unlike Harrington, was in Medinah for his 10th straight Ryder Cup.
“I’ve been to every Ryder Cup since 1993 and while every one of them has been great, and while in a couple of them we didn’t all that well, but this past one has to one of the best,” said McManus.
“It was a great experience and it’s just hard to describe how good it was being there at Medinah.
“Europe could not have written the script better and it’s good as I had a little wager on Europe, so it was great to cover the expenses (smiling).”
And Paul McGinley has Olympian sensation Oscar ‘Blade Runner’ Pistorius as he playing partner.
Pistorius became the first double amputee to compete in the Olympics reaching the 400m semi-final before returning to win two gold medals and a silver in the Paralympic Games.
“I’ve been reading up on Paul’s bio details and he seems like a great guy and he seems to be one of the more honest guys on the Tour,” said Pistorius.
“I know he holed the winning putt at the 2002 Ryder Cup so I am know he can play the game which is more than I can say about myself (smiling).”
