Four years after playing an Irish Open practice round alongside Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry will return the favour for three of Ireland’s top amateurs afforded invitations to contest this week’s championship at Carton House.
Lowry, as then amateur, used the knowledge gleaned in storming to success at Baltray and now the double Race to Dubai winner is keen to impart his experience to the leading Irish amateur trio of Gavin Moynihan, Kevin Phelan and Reeve Whitson.
Kevin Phelan to join Shane Lowry for an Irish Open practice round. (Photo – www.golffile.ie)
On Friday, the trio were selected as part of the six-man team to represent Ireland in next month’s European Amateur Team championship in Denmark.
But before pulling on the Irish colours July 9th, will contest Thursday’s starting Irish Open thanks to invitations issued by event organisers.
Moynihan, who represents The Island GC, captured last year’s Irish Amateur Open and was runner-up this year while Whitson, who has honed his game at Mourne GC, is the reigning Spanish Amateur champion.
And Phelan returned home earlier last week having proudly played all four rounds of the US Open at Merion and finishing ahead of former Major winners, Graeme McDowell, Darren Clarke, Zach Johnson, Keegan Bradley, Jim Furyk, Michael Campbell, Jose Maria Olazabal and Angel Cabrera
Lowry, who lives right on the doorstep of Carton House, has arranged for the trio to join him tomorrow (Tuesday) for a practice round on the venue that last staged an Irish Open in 2006.
“I remember how good it was to play a practice round with Rory and Johnny Caldwell when I won at Baltray and it will be great to show Gavin, Kevin and Reeve around Carton House,” said Lowry.
“But then my advice to them would be to just go out and enjoy the week. I will try and give them as much information about the course as I can.
“However the big difference for them is going to be the big step up from playing amateur golf to competing in a European Tour event.
“But I’m sure they’ll be fine because they’re all pretty decent golfers.”
