Ireland’s Peter Lawrie has called on next week’s Irish Open organisers to get the mowers out and cut back the Carton House rough.
Lawrie got his first look at Carton House in seven years when he played a practice round last Thursday on the Co. Kildare course.
The Irish Open is returning to the venue since last hosting the tournament in 2007 when Dane Thomas Bjorn won with a five-under par tally, and the highest winning score in the event in 16 years.
Peter Lawrie calling on Irish Open organisers to cut back the rough at Carton House and let the crowds see birdies. (Photo – Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)
However Lawrie is calling Irish Open officials to set up the course similar to this week’s BMW International Open venue that saw 99 of the 156 players break par on the first day.
“Carton House is in very good condition but then I don’t know what they are going to do about the rough as it was very high when I played it,” he said.
“Hopefully, organisers can take a leaf out of the book of this week’s organisers and set it up so the fans will get to see plenty of birdies.”
Ernie Els busted out of last week’s Merion ‘torture chamber’ to produce his lowest score in seven months to storm to lead on the opening day of the 25th anniversary of the German event.
Els recorded an eagle and seven birdies in a nine-under par 63 in sweltering conditions on the Munchen Eichenried course.
Four players – Dutchman Robert Jan Derksen, Sweden’s Alex Noren, England’s Matthew Baldwin and German hero, Martin Kaymer – are tied in second spot at eight under par.
