The DP World Tour stops in Northern Ireland this week for the Irish Open, which promises to be a fascinating tournament at the Royal County Down Golf Links, which last hosted the event in 2015.
With thick rough ready to devour any off-target shots and fast, domed greens that make it crucial to hit the right spot on the putting surface, this layout will be a huge test for these talented players, made even tougher by inclement weather.
Austria joins
World No. 188 Bernd Weisberg has performed very well since returning to the DP World Tour after a stint on the LIV this year, finishing T2 at the European Open and T7 at the Czech Masters.
The 38-year-old Austrian almost won here in 2015 but lost in a three-way play-off, and his precise play makes him a perfect fit for this test.
Weisberg ranked 37th in driving accuracy, second in greens in regulation, fourth in tee-to-green score, sixth in SG: approach, while fourth in scramble and third in SG: around greens.
The eight-time DP World Tour champion's problems have always been on the greens, but since switching to a belly putter he has looked more confident and could be in with a shot to win this week.
Elegant Belgians will leave their mark
&w=707&quality=100)
Considering how good of a player Thomas Detry is, it’s still incredible that he hasn’t won on the DP World Tour or PGA Tour yet, but this is where he finds himself at 31 years old.
But the Belgian has been close to a breakthrough this season, with a runner-up finish at the Houston Open and T4 finishes at the PGA Championship and Pebble Beach being the biggest highlights.
Detrie, ranked 55th in the world, is one of the best iron players in the world and has a good chance of joining the competition thanks to his superb offensive skills.
Scott will compete
One of the players who competed in the 2015 Royal County Down Championship was Scotland’s Richie Ramsay, who put in a strong performance in that year’s event by finishing 10th.
The 41-year-old has been solid from tee to green throughout his career, ranking 25th in driving accuracy and sixth in greens in regulation on the DP Tour this season.
Any improvement in his putting could allow Ramsay to challenge for the title this week, having also finished second and fourth in the 2017 and 2021 Irish Opens.
