Golf

Martin Kaymer aims to change European luck in Irish Open

Martin Kaymer will compete in the Irish Open next month  
Martin Kaymer will compete in the Irish Open next month   Martin Kaymer will compete in the Irish Open next month  

FORMER US Open champion Martin Kaymer is hoping to change his European luck when he tees off in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open Championship at the K Club on May 19.

His last success in a European Tour event was five-years-ago, although he won the US Open in 2014. On Friday, his name was pencilled in alongside a growing list of Ryder Cup players and European Tour winners for the 61st edition of Ireland's national open, which will again be hosted by the Rory McIlroy Charitable Foundation.

“It's going to be a big summer for a lot of players and I'm looking to get off to a perfect start in the Irish Open,” said the German.

“I've only played the K Club once, in the 2007 European Open. Although it wasn't my best week on the course, I remember being impressed by it. The Irish people love their golf and they get behind the players, so it should make for a great atmosphere, especially with such a strong field. The crowds always turn up and show their support and that's one of the reasons I enjoy playing in Ireland.”

Kaymer weill be making his fourth appearance in the Irish Open, which offers a purse of €4 million this year. The tournament has not been highly successful for him as his best finish so far was when he occupied joint 10th position at Adare Manor in 2008. He has been given a little boost with a sixth finish in his last European outing, at Valderrama two weeks ago.

Along with a number of others, Kaymer will be hoping to catch Darren Clarke's eye and help his chances of squeezing into the Ryder Cup team. He, of course, is remembered for holing the putt that ensured the Ryder Cup would remain in Europe's hands after the contest at Medinah Country Club in 2012.

Meanwhile, Fortwilliam golfers hope to go a couple of steps further this year in the AIG All-Ireland Jimmy Bruen Shield than they did in 2015. The north Belfast team won the Ulster section, but lost in the national semi-final to Ballybunion at Carton House as the Kerry side went on to take the All-Ireland pennant.

The Ulster qualifying round for this season's competition will be played on Sunday and Fortwilliam step out in the first defence of their provincial title at Balmoral, alongside Cliftonville and City of Belfast. A dozen clubs will be hoping to get through to the first round of matchplay. Four teams from each section will qualify.

“Certainly, our aim is to finish the job this time,” says non-playing Fortwilliam captain Eamon Lundy.

“Because of the weather conditions, our preparations may not have been as good as we hoped, but we did have practice rounds at Balmoral last Sunday and Thursday.”

About half the team that took Ulster honours last year is missing this time, but still available are Martin McKeown, Paul McGranaghan, Vincent Lynagh, Paul Gillen, Brendan Hillen and Aidan Hawkins. However, Hawkins is not available for the qualifying round.

“Unfortunately, Aidan had other arrangements made for this weekend and we have to do without him,” said team captain Lundy.

“It is just one of those things but, with so many of last year's panel still available for selection, there is a sound base of experience in the panel. In our two practice rounds at Balmoral, we had some decent scores that would do nicely this weekend.”

In the Ulster final last year, Fortwilliam defeated a highly-rated Warrenpoint side before having to bow out of the All-Ireland semi-final to Ballybunion, who went on to overcome Castlebar by 3.5 to 1.5 in the national decider.

QUALIFYING DRAWS 


Balmoral: Balmoral, Dunmurry, Lambeg, Malone, Ormeau, Shandon Park, City of Belfast, Cliftonville, Fortwilliam, Belvoir Pk, Castlereagh Hills, Rockmount; Clones: Clones, Co Cavan, Rossmore, Enniskillen, Omagh, Slieve Russell, Bundoran, Castleblayney, Mannan Castle, Aughnacloy, Castle Hume, Fintona; Galgorm Castle: Ballymena, Galgorm Castle, Cairndhu, Cushendall, Carrickfergus, Massereene, Whitehead, Antrim, Gracehill, Hilton Templepatrick, Ballyclare, Greenacres, Greenisland; Holywood: Holywood, Helen's Bay, Royal Belfast, Clandeboye, Knock, Scrabo, Bangor, Blackwood, Carnalea, Donaghadee, Kirkistown Castle, Mahee Island; Letterkenny: Ballybofey-Stranorlar, Letterkenny, Dunfanaghy, Strabane, Donegal, Narin & Portnoo, Ballyliffin, Cruit Island, Otway, North West, Portsalon, Rosapenna; Loughgall: Co Armagh, Loughgall, Silverwood, Dungannon, Killymoon, Tandragee, Down Royal, Lisburn, Newtownstewart, Edenmore, Lurgan, Portadown; Portstewart: Portstewart, Rathmore, Royal Portrush, Bushfoot, Castlerock, Kilrea, City of Derry, Foyle, Moyola Pk, Ballycastle, Faughan Valley, Roe Pk; Warrenpoint: Kilkeel, Warrenpoint, Cloverhill, Mayobridge, Ardglass, Crossgar, Spa, St Patrick's, Ashfield, Banbridge, Mourne.