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The Irish Open starts his Thursday. There is no 'title' sponsor as a deliberate decision. It is because it is hoped that over the next 3 years the Irish Open will become a prestige event not needing a title sponsor, such as the Masters and The Open. Very ambitious and whilst the organisers don't expect to quite reach those dizzy heights they dio intend to turn it into a flagship event for the European Tour.

It will be held in Adare Manor for the next three years and I'm driving down there Thursday very early as I have a medical appointment on the Wednesday.
My season ticket is all ready for use; the BMW at Wentworth will follow on. A double win will see the winner gaining a large bonus [ayment.

As I mentioned elsewhere this is my Jubilee event and the celebrations are starting. .

Looks a magnificent venue for the Open. I bet the Guiness will be flowing. Have a great time.

Am, enjoying it and at the end of day 2 we have an Irish leader. Padraig Harrngton, a friend of mine, is leading the field by 1.

Be really great if he's still top Sunday evening; especially my Jubilee year.

The weather was changeable with high gusting winds and some short heavy showers

I was able to watch a little bit of it today. Boy, the wind was howling, and the leader was at -3. At one point gust hit 50 mph. Seems to be playing like a major.

It was. The blustery conditions made things difficult with some very heavy downpours. They were short lasting a hole and a half approx.
Nail-biting finish as Bradley Dredge forced a playoff befoe really making a mess of his finishing. He was gutted as was his caddy.
Almost everyone else was celebrating but couldn't stay too long afterwards as I had a 120+ mile drive home.

Now if Padraig can win the 'Beemer' The MW PGA championship at Wentworth he'll pick up a 1 million bonus.

Wish old paddy would do it on this side of the pond I have him in my Fantasy pool and it kills me when he's playing his best golf and it doesn't count (for me that is). Good to see though I love the guy.

So do I. His whole fasmily is extremely nice. His wife is a real gem. Posh and Becks without the stupidity; a really great kind couple. For those who don't know they visited me in hospital whne I had my cancer op two years ago. Cheered me up enormoudly.

Caroline is expecting their second child though it has not yet been forally announced. It's still early days.