DONALD TRUMP HUMBLED BY UNITED STATES WOMEN'S OPEN VENUE CHOICE

FROM THE GOLFWEEK WEBSITE
By Bernard J Klein
BEDMINSTER, New Jersey – There’s nothing more fascinating in journalism than seeing public people up close. Who knows what’s real and what’s for show these days, especially with someone as media savvy as Donald Trump, who seems to have made a second career out of being a spectacle – this after having established himself as a real estate tycoon.
Somewhere along the line he also managed to make himself into a golf entrepreneur. And that’s what brought him (and me) to his Trump National Golf Club here at Bedminster, New Jersey.
The ostensible purpose was a news conference with the U.S. Golf Association to announce that his course has been awarded the 2017 U.S. Women’s Open. Trump, attired in his trademark charcoal suit, white shirt and red tie and with his wedge of sandy red hair perfectly coiffed, clearly was humbled and honoured to have made it officially to the national golf stage.
For anyone who has watched him in one of his feuds with Rosie O’Donnell, demanding to see President Barack Obama’s birth certificate or as mogul in his “Celebrity Apprentice” TV gig, it was almost as if he had been transformed into staid, respectful form.
Maybe that’s what the official golf industry seems to demand. If so, Trump certainly has learned his new role well. Having acquitted himself graciously as host of the 2009 U.S. Girls’ Junior and the U.S. Junior Amateur simultaneously at Trump National, he now has been anointed by the USGA as worthy of a professional major.
Mike Davis, executive director of the USGA, duly noted Trump’s willingness to give back to golf in small ways that don’t garner headlines – through hosting local events, charities and PGA section events.
And it helped the USGA’s selection process that the 36-hole facility was ideal for a national major, given its vast infrastructure, location in the metropolitan New York market and ease of access to an adjoining highway and 30-minute drive from the Hudson River tunnels leading to Manhattan.
With the USGA Golf House only a 10-minute drive away, it’s Davis’ hope that holding the event here will give Golf House a weeklong chance to showcase its museum and the Research and Test Center. Logistics, however, only are an issue when the golf is of championship standard.
Trump National, with two expansive 18-hole courses, is unusually well suited, thanks to a parkland-style Old Course (2004) and a more links-oriented New Course (2009). For the 2017 Women’s Open, Davis said, “We’ll play the Old Course, but we could play the New Course.”
Trump, when pressed by a questioner, conceded that he would love to see a men’s U.S. Open here, as well. “Trust me,” he said. “We’ll be writing a letter for the U.S. Open, but we can’t say that now.”If he was subdued in his five minutes speaking extemporaneously and in the follow-up question-and-answer session with reporters, Trump was more animated during an earlier drive around the Old Course with me. There are times when he can be something of the nonstop salesman, a gifted talker with a massive self-promotional mien that one might mistake for hucksterism except that it’s genuinely conveyed, and he obviously believes every word he says.
In a world in which golf still is in something of retreat, Trump has made a reputation as an aggressive pursuer of new opportunities. He has 11 golf properties in his fold, including the newly acquired Doral Resort in Miami and the soon-to-open Trump International Golf Links near Aberdeen, Scotland
Enthusiasm and attention are why he got to Trump National 90 minutes before the news conference. That gave him time to inspect work in progress on the club’s new 10,000-square-foot locker room. And it’s why he insisted on accompanying me on a drive through the back nine of the Old Course.
His discourse during such a trip is filled with superlatives, about this being the largest single green in the world and the whole course being the best in all of New Jersey and worthy of a top-10 national ranking.
He’s an incessant follower of course ratings and thinks that Golfweek, in rating Trump National-Old at No. 72, we’ve not shown the course (or him) enough respect.In fact, the golf course is impressive in scope, length, depth of features and shot-making demands from the back tees. And yes, it’s admirable that the views include rolling hills and mature trees but no houses or surrounding development.
And it’s also impressive that the place easily could hold 75,000 spectators, and that its dramatic closing comprises a thrilling three-hole loop of water holes.
But get him back on that podium with the USGA and he becomes a more self-contained person who is humbled by the game. It’s a game he obviously loves and respects. “It’s a game,” Trump said, “that keeps a lot of people out of trouble.”
And when you filter through Trump’s hyperbole and promotionalism, he turns out to be someone who appreciates how golf tames the individual.
“I enjoy golf,” he said during the news conference. “I enjoy the business of golf; it’s not my primary business. Maybe that’s a good thing.”

RORY McILROY OUT TO IMPROVE ON POOR RECORD AT SAWGRASS

FROM THE BBC SPORT.COM WEBSITE

World number one Rory McIlroy is keen to improve on a chequered record at the coveted £5.8m Players Championship, which starts at Sawgrass on Thursday.

The 23-year-old missed the cut on two previous visits and has yet to break par on the 7,215-yard par-72 lay-out.
He and Lee Westwood chose to miss the event last year but both have returned.
"It wasn't one of my brightest moments," McIlroy admitted. "I'm glad to be back, it's a very big tournament and one that I'd love to win one day".

=======================

Recent Sawgrass winners

2011: K J Choi (S Korea)
2010: T Clark (S Africa)
2009: H Stenson (Sweden)
2008: S Garcia (Spain)
2007: P Mickelson (US)
2006: S Ames (Trinidad/Canada)
2005: F Funk (US)
2004: A Scott (Australia)
2003: D Love (US)
2002: C Perks (NZ)
=======================

McIlroy is beginning his third stint as world number one after losing in a play-off at last week's Wells Fargo Championship in North Carolina, as American Rickie Fowler captured his first US PGA Tour title.

The Northern Irishman has had only two finishes outside the top five in 15 starts since last August.
He once said of Sawgrass: "I don't like the golf course for a start. I find it very awkward off the tee. You're hitting across fairways all the time.
"It's personal preference - some guys love Sawgrass and some guys don't like it so much."
The US Open champion, who has since switched management companies from ISM to the Dublin-based Horizon, has replaced his five wood with a two iron to try to find a better way around the Players Stadium Course in golf's richest tournament.
"I'll hit it a lot off the tee just to try and keep it in play. I don't mind sacrificing distance as long as you're hitting from the fairways here," he said.
"Hitting three woods on some of these holes, it still goes a little too far. I don't mind going into a green with a seven iron instead of a nine iron."
Asked about the emergence of Fowler, who is also 23, McIlroy said: "I think it was great for the game of golf that Rickie won. It's great to have characters like that that are playing well, and he engages with the fans really well, and he's a really popular player out here.
"We've known each other since playing some amateur golf together. I developed a really good relationship with him at the Walker Cup in 2007. I felt like he was the best player on that (United States) team at the time, and he was also the nicest guy."
Tiger Woods, currently seventh in the world rankings, will seek to atone for last week's missed cut in North Carolina, at a tournament he won in 2001, and has been drawn with Fowler and Hunter Mahan for the first two days.

Woods won the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March but was only tied for 40th at the Masters, his worst finish as a professional at the tournament, before rounds of 71 and 73 last week.

"I still expect Tiger to come back and do some great things. He's won this year, so he's definitely on the right track," McIlroy said.

Another former Masters champion Phil Mickelson, inducted into the Hall of Fame this week, is also in contention for a title he has won once before, in 2007, and will play alongside McIlroy and Steve Stricker in the opening two rounds.

Westwood plays with world number two Luke Donald, who decided to miss last week's Well's Fargo Championship, and American Bill Haas.
Reigning Masters champion Bubba Watson is absent after deciding to take a month away from the game to spend time with his wife and adopted baby son.

RYDER CUP VENUES GLENEAGLES SIGN 10-YEAR EXTENSION TO CARRY PGA BRAND

            THE PGA CENTENARY COURSE ... Gleneagles Hotel's 2014 Ryder Cup venue

FROM THE WEEKLY PGA E-BULLETIN
World-famous Scottish golf resort Gleneagles has signed a 10-year extension to carry the PGA brand.

The license agreement includes the PGA Centenary Course, host to the 2014 Ryder Cup, along with the PGA National Golf Academy and PGA National Golf Academy Course.

The move strengthens one of golf’s enduring relationships, which will also see the five-star Perthshire hotel continue to house the Scottish office of the PGA, and sees the PGA brand right at the heart of Scottish golf.

PGA chief executive Sandy Jones commented: "The PGA brand is one of the most respected and recognised in golf and to be closely associated with a world-class facility like Gleneagles reaffirms that standing.

"The PGA has been fortunate to enjoy a long and successful relationship with Gleneagles, stretching back many years and we look forward to working closely with Bernard Murphy and his team and seeing the PGA-branded course, academy and academy course being synonymous with the excellence for which Gleneagles is renowned."

With the Ryder Cup in Scotland just over two years away a number of changes are being implemented to the Jack Nicklaus-designed PGA Centenary Course in preparation for the 2014 contest.

Gleneagles general manager Bernard Murphy said: "It’s an exciting time for everyone at Gleneagles as we count down to the 2014 Ryder Cup.

"Now, more than ever, it’s important for us to strengthen relationships with industry bodies, so we’re delighted to have renewed our agreement with the PGA this month.

"We’re proud to be home to Scotland’s only PGA Academy and to be recognised as one of the pre-eminent facilities in the country for golf coaching and education.

"The timing is significant as it coincides with the reopening of the PGA Centenary Course after seven months’ extensive remodelling, revealing the final Ryder Cup course two years ahead of the tournament."

It is not just its on-course playing experiences that Gleneagles is renowned for with golf instruction pivotal to its reputation. Having created a purpose-built Golfing Academy in 1994, the facility has gone from strength to strength, evidenced in 2010 when it was selected by the PGA to be the venue for the PGA National Golf Academy for Scotland.

The academy has become a focal point for the game in Scotland with a team of expert PGA professionals and advanced facilities including a 320yd double-ended driving range with capacity for 40 golfers, designated long-game and short-game practice areas, on-course learning environments, technical analysis, including video capture and high performance custom-fitting.

The practice facilities are complemented by a PGA National Academy course for golfers to hone their skills.

In addition Gleneagles is home to the superb Queen’s and King’s courses – the latter host to this year’s Scottish PGA Championship.

The PGA, the world’s oldest professional golfers’ association, having been formed in 1901, has a worldwide portfolio of branded facilities with courses and academies in China, England, Russia, Slovakia and Turkey

PETER SMITH DEFENDS SENIOR PGA PRO TITLE NEXT WEEK

FROM THE WEEKLY PGA E-BULLETIN

Aberdeen ace Peter Smith will have a spring in his step when he returns to defend the Senior PGA Professional Championship next week at Northants County.

The PGA teaching professional from Deeside Golf Club topped the leaderboard 12 months ago and is gunning for more success in the 54-hole event which carries a £33,000 prize fund and is being staged from May 16-18.

Last year’s victory was Smith’s first major victory in 20 years and he admitted it felt like rolling back the years.

"It’s a great event. When you’re out there, it’s like turning the clock back 25 years with people you used to play alongside on a regular basis," he said.

"I certainly don’t feel like a 52-year-old when I’m playing in this event, I feel like a youngster again.

"Last year was the first time I’d won an event of that stature since the 1992 Northern Open at Murcar, so it meant a lot. I’d had other wins along the way, most notably the New Zealand Club Professionals Championship in 2003 but the Northants County event was my biggest win in 20 years."

Smith took the championship by four strokes last year finishing ahead of a trio of players - Stockport-based Richard Green (Bramhall), Southwold's Robin Mann and Royal North Devon's Iain Parker but admitted he was ‘hanging on’ to victory last year after a sensational opening round of 67.

"I had the lead but I could see it evaporating, however no-one caught me up and I felt more relaxed about winning it on the final day but I was hanging on a bit."

The top 20 finishers will qualify for the ISPS Handa PGA Seniors Championship at De Vere Slaley Hall from June 7-10.

PATRICK RECORD ON ROAD TO VICTORY

By COLIN FARQUHARSON Colin@scottishgolfview.com Walker Cup winner at Nairn in 1999, Edinburgh man David Patrick scored his biggest success in 11 years as a pro at Brora Golf Club today (Tuesday). The 37-year-old, based at Elie Sports Club, Fife, shot a course record, six-under-par 63 to add to his 68 at Tain on Monday, for an eight-under-par total of 131. That gave Patrick a two-stroke victory from joint runners-up Greig Hutcheon (Banchory) and Scottish PGA champion Alan Lockhart (Ladybank) with Chris Kelly (Cawder) and overnight leader Scott Henderson (Kings Links) sharing fourth place on 135. Patrick, pictured after his round by Robin Wilson,   has won the Scottish Young Professionals' championship for the past three years but beating a field of the Tartan Tour's finest would rank above that. His iron play was first-class, helping him towards a bag of seven birdies over the classic James Braid links - at the first, second, seventh, long eighth, 10th, 14th and 17th. Patrick slipped up only once, a 4 at the short ninth, in halves of 32 (three under par) and 31 (also three under). His winner's cheque amounted to £1,300. Hutcheon finished only two shots behind the winner, despite only parring the last seven holes after birdieing the first, second and fourth and getting an eagle 3 at the long eighth in a five-under 30 to the turn. The Banchory man bogeyed the 10th and that certainly took the wind out of his sails. He was becalmed from the 11th to the 18th and came home in one-over 35. Lockhart shot a 66 for 133, which was a good effort, considering he has just come back from his honeymoon, on which he did not take his golf clubs! Hutcheon and Lockhart each earned £975. Henderson was the man they all had to beat on the second day but his one-shot overnight advantage from Tain vanished at his very first hole at Brora. Having driven to the bottom of the slope up to the plateau green, the Aberdonian elected to putt from there ... but he did not it hard enough and the ball rolled back to his feet. Henderson then tried a chip ... and again the ball rolled back down the slope to his feet. Finally on in four shots, he two-putted for a double-bogey 6 and it was all uphill after that. A birdie at the long eighth got him out in one-over 36 but a bogey at the 10th while up ahead Patrick was forging clear put the writing on the wall for Henderson. He did birdie the 12th and 16th for 33 home and a level par 69.  Peterculter assistant Ross McConnachie, in the title hunt with a first-round 67, required 10 more shots to negotiate Brora's links without a double bogey but also without a single birdie. Still, he will have learned from the experience. Remember the name. We could be hearing it again. SCROLL DOWN FOR ALL THE FINAL TOTALS

PGA OPTICAL EXPRESS TOURNAMENT FINAL TOTALS

Left to right: Greig Hutcheon, winner David Patrick, Alistair Risk (president of Brora GC) and Alan Lockhart. Image by courtesy of Robin Wilson. FINAL TOTALS Par 139 (Tain par 70, Brora par 69) 131 David Patrick (Elie SC) 68 63. 133 Greig Hutcheon (Banchory) 68 65, Alan Lockhart (Ladybank) 67 66 135 Chris Kelly (Cawder) 68 67, Scott Henderson (Kings Links) 66 69 136 Stephen Gray (Hayston) 71 65, Kenny Hutton (Downfield) 69 67, Ian Brown (Newent) 68 68 137 Stuart Pardoe (Stuart Pardoe Golf) 71 66, James Byrne (Banchory) 71 66, Robert Arnott (Bishopbriggs GR) 69 68, James McGhee (Duddingston) 69 68 138 Neil Fenwick (Dunbar) 72 66, Paul Wardell (Whitekirk) 70 68, David Orr (Mearns Castle GA) 68 70 139 Mark Kerr (unatt) 71 68, Ross Dixon (Renaissance Club) 69 70, Paul McKechnie (Braid Hills GR) 69 70 140 Gordon Law (Uphall) 72 68, Jason McCreadie (Buchanan Castle) 71 69. 141 Gareth Wright (West Linton) 75 66, Jordan Findlay (Fraserburgh) 73 68, Joel Hopwood (Royal Aberdeen) 72 69, Craig Ronald (Carluke) 72 69, Greg McBain (Gamola Golf) 71 70. 142 Martin Lawrence (Newmachar) 73 69, Graeme Brown (Montrose Links) 71 71. 143 Lee Vannet (Carnoustie Links) 76 67, James McKinnon (Irvine) 76 67, Gary Dingwall (Royal Dornoch) 75 68, Christopher Currie (Caldwell) 74 69, Scott Herald (Mearns Castle GA) 71 71. 144 Malcolm Isaacs (Nairn Dunbar) 72 72, Ross McConnachie (Peterculter) 67 77 145 Stuart Morrison (Tain) 77 68, Iain Colquhoun (Dundonald Links) 74 71, Terry Mathieson (Murcar Links) 73 72, Stuart Reekie (Blairgowrie) 72 73, Craig Gordon (Edinburgh GC) 72 73, Fraser Clarke (Newmachar) 71 74, Mark King (Kingsfield GR) 71 74, Jonathan Lomas (Eng) 71 74, Craig Matheson (Falkirk Tryst) 71 74, Ian Graham (Crow Wood) 70 75. 146 Christopher Russell (Dunbar) 76 70, David Thomson (Carnegie Club) 74 72, Iain Hanna (Strathclyde Park GC) 73 73. 147 Ed Wood (Crow Wood) 76 71, Ryan O'Flaherty (Matthews&Stevenson) 75 72. 148 Patrick Walker (Eng) 76 72. 149 Stewart Savage (Dalmur) 76 73. 150 Malcolm Murray (Bearsden GR) 77 73. 151 James Dick (Duddingston) 81 70, Jody Rostock (Carnegie Club) 78 73 Alastair Thomson (Douglas Park) 78 73, Ian P Redford senior (St Andrews New) 75 76 152 Eri Walker (Burntisland) 77 75, Peter Smith (Deeside) 77 75, Andrew Crerar (Panmure) 77 75. 153 Tom Carroll (unatt) 79 74. 154 Norman Huguet (Musselburgh) 78 76, Lewis Burnett (Mearns Castle GA) 78 76. 155 Craig Knowles (Panmure) 80 75, Michael Mackenzie (Edzell) 78 77. 157 Paul Brookes (Pitreavie) 84 73. 158 Paul Gallagher (Dalmuir) 80 78, Andrew Rollo (Moray) 80 78. 159 Neil Colquhoun (Merchants of Edinburgh) 80 79, Heather MacRae(Gleneagles) 79 80.

CHELSEA'S TED DRAKE ON THE TEE AT MURCAR IN THE 1950s

FLASHBACK TO THE FIFTIES. Chelsea manager Ted Drake (1952-58) has a swing for the camera at Murcar Golf Club. Left to right: Jimmy Herd, Bob Wallace and an unidentified person, who, with collar and tie on, might well have been with the Chelsea party, presumably up in Aberdeen from London for a friendly match.
 Editor's note: Only thing that bothers me is that I don't recognise the background as being at Murcar. Can any Murcar old-timers shed any light on what's in the background?

E-mail from Hyldie Grinsted

Where can I purchase  the book of Murcar Links Golf Club: The First Hundred Years, please?
My Dad was James (Jimmy) Herd, an honorary member at some point I am told. He died in 1956, aged 43, leaving my Mum (deceased 2006, aged 94) Nellie Herd with six daughters of which I was the youngest. I was eight years old at the time.

Dad was apparently always playing in golf competitions, and by all accounts he was very good. I have attached a photo of Dad (second from the left) and his dear friend Bob Wallace (third from the left).

They are playing with Chelsea Football Club's Team Manager of the day, Ted Drake (1952-58).

Dad was also in a concert party. He played the fiddle and was also a singer. I am fortunate enough to have two old 78 records he made back then at some point.
I feel a very special closeness to my Dad often, probably even more so because I have sung all my life with various bands at countless venues for close on 50 years.

It would be wonderful to have a book about the place where Dad spent a large part of his life.

Hyldie Grinsted

Westhill, Aberdeenshire

EDITOR: Thanks for the memories and the picture, Hyldie. Chelsea must have been at Pittodrie playing a friendly against the Dons. But I can't help with an exact date for such a match - yet! Have put Hyldie in touch with Carol O'Neil, the Murcar Links GC secretary, with regard to the club's Centenary Book.

DEAR, HENRY, MACAULAY AND WALKER TO RECEIVE £23,000 EACH SGSL SUPPORT IN 2012

 NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE SCOTTISH GOLF UNION

Scottish Golf Support Limited (SGSL), the group set up to help the country’s young professionals fulfil their potential, has announced its four beneficiaries for the 2012 season as Challenge Tour trio Gavin Dear, Scott Henry and Callum Macaulay and Ladies European Tour player Kylie Walker.

Bolstering the support programme for the players, former Ryder Cup star Andrew Coltart has been enlisted to work in a mentoring role for SGSL, while highly-respected coach Pete Cowen will also be engaged to overview the players’ technical coaching support.

Launched in 2010, SGSL was given a £1 million fund set aside for at least five years to assist Scotland’s most promising young professionals in the transition from leading amateurs to success in the paid ranks, with representation from sportscotland, the Scottish Golf Union (SGU), Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association (SLGA) and the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA).

Dear, Macaulay and Walker are all receiving support for the second successive year while Henry, the newly-crowned winner of the Optical Express PGA Tour event at Spey Valley, is a recipient for the first time.

The 25-year-old, who enjoyed a successful season on the Alps Tour in 2011 resulting in promotion to the Challenge Tour, will be aiming to realise the potential displayed in a fine amateur career which saw him win the Scottish Stroke Play Championship six years ago.

Each player will receive around £23,000 in tailored support this season and have access to some of the best coaching and sports science available, in addition to the input from Coltart and Cowen, who coaches a number of leading tour players.

The support programme can be used for warm weather training costs, competition expenses, coaching and other specialist support provision, based on each individual’s requirements. In return, the players will support the SGU, SLGA and ClubGolf activities, such as squad sessions and junior golf clinics.

Coltart, who was also recently appointed to the SGU’s Performance Committee, will focus on the development of the three male golfers, while Walker will continue to receive mentoring from Scotland’s leading female professional Catriona Matthew, present at Archerfield Links last week for the Aberdeen Ladies Scottish Open.

 Walker made the biggest impact of those players supported in 2011, posting three top-10 finishes on the Ladies European Tour with a season-best tie for fourth at the Prague Masters.

The four golfers each meet the minimum requirements of having full playing rights on the European Challenge Tour or Ladies European Tour and being in the early stages of playing professional golf.

In addition, the programme has also supported three of last year’s leading amateur talents in Scotland – James Byrne, David Law and Michael Stewart – with their Qualifying Tour School costs. While the players did not gain minimum tour playing rights, the trio have been offered ongoing support from the sportscotland institute of sport during their first year as professional golfers.

Speaking at last week’s Aberdeen Ladies Scottish Open, where she finished fifth in 2011 and tied 10^th this year, Walker said: “I’m delighted to be receiving this support once again, having made such a difference over the past year or so.

“I can certainly attribute much of the progress I made last year to the funding and support programme, allowing me to fully focus on developing my game and having the team behind me that I had as a leading amateur.”

Graeme Simmers, Chairman of Scottish Golf Support Limited, said: “We hope the financial and supportive boost that the four players will receive through the programme can help them make great strides as young professionals on tour.

“I’m sure the players will also benefit greatly from having Andrew Coltart and Pete Cowen on board, both of who are hugely respected in their fields of expertise and who will also help us shape the programme going forward.”

Louise Martin CBE, Chair of sportscotland, added: “At sportscotland, our aim is to develop and support a world-class sporting system at all levels and this programme is a great example of that system in action.

“Supporting these talented players at such an important stage in their career will hopefully lead to more success for Scottish golfers on the world stage and encourage more young people to take up golf.”

  

BRADLEY JOINS MAJOR CHAMPIONS AT IRISH OPEN AT ROYAL PORTRUSH JUNE 28-JULY 1

                 KEEGAN BRADLEY .... "roots in Ireland"

                   Picture courtesy of Getty Images(c)

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY EUROPEAN TOUR
The Irish Open will boast three of the four current Major champions after Keegan Bradley, the reigning US PGA championship winner and one of a new breed of American stars, confirmed he will be heading for Royal Portrush Golf Club, Northern Ireland at the end of June.
The 25 year old has never played a professional tournament in Europe, but has been lured by the magnificent links of Royal Portrush, where he will compete among a stellar field which also includes current US Open Champion Rory McIlroy and reigning Open Champion Darren Clarke.
The strength of the line-up for the €2million event, which is being played in Northern Ireland for the first time since 1953 from June 28 to July 1, is growing week by week, with Graeme McDowell, the 2010 US Open Champion, and three-time Major winner Padraig Harrington also confirmed.
With Italian brothers Edoardo and Francesco Molinari also playing, it means half of the victorious 2010 European Ryder Cup team has already confirmed they will be in attendance at the famous County Antrim venue.
Bradley, who has high hopes of facing Europe in September by qualifying for the United States Ryder Cup Team, arrived under the spotlight of global golf in 2011 when he won the US PGA Championship at Atlanta Athletic Club in dramatic fashion.
A triple bogey at the 15th left him five shots behind with three holes to play, but birdies at the 16th and 17th gave him a share of the lead after 72 holes, and he went on to defeat his compatriot Jason Dufner in a three-hole play-off.
The former all-state ski racer and 2011 US PGA Tour Rookie of the Year became only the third player to win on his Major Championship debut, after Francis Ouimet in the 1913 US Open and Ben Curtis in The 132nd Open Championship in 2003.
Bradley is following fellow young Americans Dustin Johnson and Masters champion Bubba Watson, who last summer played in Europe in the build-up to The Open Championship, and he is relishing the experience.
“I’m very proud of my Irish heritage,” said Bradley, whose roots are in Co Cork, “and I’ve wanted to represent them in the Irish national championship. Also, Graeme and Darren both have told me what a fabulous lay-out Portrush is, so I’m doubly excited about the opportunity to compete there.”
To watch these Major men up close, advance day tickets for the Irish Open are available for £30, a saving of £5 on the gate price, with four-day season tickets priced at £70, a saving of £10. Advance concession day and season tickets are priced at £20 and £50 respectively.
Hospitality packages are sold out for the first two days, but are still available on Saturday and Sunday. Pre-booked grandstand seats are still available on Thursday, June 28 at £10. To take advantage of any of these offers, please visit www.europeantour.com/tickets