Four of the Irishmen in the field at this year’s Open have won major championships, another of them led this championship going into the final round, but it is a sixth who has come closest to adding to the Emerald Isle’s remarkable run most recently.
Consider that only one Irishman won a major in the 20th Century, none having done so previously and that as recently as a decade ago, before the first of Padraig Harrington’s successes when he won the first of his three at Carnoustie in 2007, that remained the case and the combined haul of nine titles he has shared with Rory McIlroy (4), Graeme McDowell and Darren Clarke speaks to a development system that has helped its best talent flourish.
That Paul Dunne performed as he did as an amateur when setting the pace for so long last year might, meanwhile, look like something of a fluke were it not for the fact that while still in the sport’s unpaid ranks Shane Lowry went further by beating the professionals to the 2009 Irish Open title.
Which takes us to that recent performance and the way that jolly giant of a man challenged for the US Open title last month.
In the end Lowry could not quite sustain it, slipping back into a tie for second place behind eventual winner Dustin Johnson with a closing 76, but he also proved his capacity to win in vaunted company at last year WGC Bridgestone Invitational and that performance at Oakmont last month has only reinforced his self-confidence.
“I genuinely believe that, without sounding too cocky, I like the big-time play. I like the big tournaments,” he said.
“I love playing in front of the big crowds, I love playing late on Saturdays and Sundays, I think it's kind of where you want to be.
“Obviously I had a good win last year and I've been up there in a few majors here and there. I just love it like I love the heat of, I love competing at the highest level. There's no greater buzz in the world. It's what I go out and play golf for.”
Nor does he see any reason that he cannot win this weekend.
“I think if I hole a few putts this week, I do think I can stand there on Sunday, hopefully on the 18th green lifting the trophy,” he said.
As to the collected Irish challenge, Lowry is of the view that as players who learned the game over similar terrain they know what is required.
“Obviously Rory is one of the favourites, so there's obviously a chance of him winning. Graeme's been playing okay. He had a good week, a decent week last week and Paul is Paul. If he gets himself in there with a sniff, you never know what can happen,” he observed.
“There is no reason why we can't or there can't be an Irish winner on Sunday, I think. We've got a strong challenge here this week. We're obviously used to the conditions that this course is going to throw. Yeah, there's no reason why not. I just hope it's me.”
All from the same little island as produced two teams that went to Euro 2016 and has enjoyed sustained international rugby success over the past 20 years, once again inviting comparison with Scottish sporting performance.
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