Keen Irish interest at Augusta as the Masters tees off

THIS weekend the biggest occasion in tour golf begins once more, The Masters takes places from the 7th of April to the 10th.

The Augusta National Golf Club is known for one thing and one thing only as it is home of The Masters. Golf’s most famous tournament brings the worlds best golfers onto one stage for a four day shootout.

At the Masters each golfer taking part is vying to claim the prestigious green jacket. The green jacket is a sign of golf’s elite, and to earn it, is to immortalise one self into the sport forever. The tournament also has a hefty prize pool of $11,500,000.

Famous victors of the tournament include legends such as Jack Nicklaus who has won it six times. Tiger Woods has also won the tournament multiple times with his famous comeback win in 2019 marking his 5th win. Gary Player has won the tournament three times.

This year is especially exciting for Irish golf fans as we will have four players representing the nation at Augusta.

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The Irish contingent is comprised of first timer Seamus Power, Open winner Shane Lowry, multiple major winner Rory McIlroy and Ryder Cup Captain Padraig Harrington.

Seamus Power

Since winning his first event at the Barbasol Championship in July of 2018 Power and his golf have leaped to another level. This season alone he has shot himself up the world rankings to 41st with some brilliant play.

In terms of finishes Power has had one top three, four top tens and has been in the top twenty-five nine times.

While talking to RTE Sport, Power reflected on how surreal the experience of being at a Master’s is let alone even playing in one

“Even as a spectator walking in here, there’s a different feeling. It’s so special. You feel you are in Mecca. I played a practice round yesterday. There were not many people around on the first tee, and I was more nervous than I have been for a lot of shots under pressure in tournaments. I’m just so happy to be part of it”

Power isn’t looking to be a bystander and if he carries his recent form into the tournament and can keep a level head, a great finish could be in his future.

Shane Lowry

Lowry is no stranger to the big time, with the winner of the 2019 Open Championship brimming with talent and attitude. Lowry Currently sits at 35th in the World Rankings after a brilliant season that included him finishing second at the Honda Classic.

Lowry finds himself going into this tournament with genuine chances of winning the green jacket. Lowry has been playing, arguably, the most consistent golf of his whole career.

The golfer found himself tied at an all time 21st position last year and is looking to improve upon it. The encouraging statistic of seven top tens in only 23 tournaments puts even more weight onto this claim.

If Lowry can bring his latest bout of steely consistency to the course this weekend he can find himself in contention on Sunday.

Padraig Harrington

Padraig Harrington is a legend of Irish Golf, as the most recent Ryder Captain and also a three time major winner in the sport.

His major wins include victories at The Open Championship in both 2007 and 2008, a truly incredible achievement. To wrap up a wonderful 2008 season he also claimed the PGA Championship title.

Just to further hammer home the quality of Harrington, he spent an astonishing 300 weeks in the top ten of the golf world rankings. He reached his highest rank of third in that famed 2008 season.

As previously mentioned Harrington was the most recent Ryder Cup captain of Europe in an ill fated campaign against one if not the greatest USA golf team ever assembled. Coming off the back of that experience will have lit a fire under Harrington.

After turning 50, the three time major winner doesn’t think its the most incredible thing if he was to claim victory this weekend. Also speaking to RTE Sport ahead of the four day tournament Harrington was in positive spirits

With that being said golf fans should keep an eye out for the veteran.

Rory McIlroy

What is there to say about Rory McIlroy that hasn’t been said over and over.

He’s incredible at golf.

McIlroy currently sits the highest of the Irish contingent in the rankings, perched at ninth in the world McIlroy has every chance to win this tournament that has famously eluded him and he has a wealth of accolades just like Harrington.

The former world number one is a four time major champion with wins in the 2011 US Open championship, the 2012 and 2014 PGA championship and the 2014 Open championship.

McIlroy has spoken in the past about his failed efforts at the Masters over the years. He has been favourite to win the tournament more than once but has never been able to accomplish the feat. McIlroy believes he must get over his own fear of losing in the tournament that he carries from past.

In his five events played this season he has managed a victory at the CJ Summit Cup, two top tens and three top twenty-five finishes. Going into this tournament with good momentum is important and McIlroy seems to have it.

Hopefully this could be the year he completes the golf grand slam.

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