The second round of the Irish Open tees off on Friday at the Killarney Golf and Fishing Club. Shane Lowry (9/4) is looking to defend his title he won as an amateur last year. Irishman Rory McIlroy (evens) lead the odds at most bookmakers to start the tournament. But, England’s David Howell has the lead after round one. Europe Ryder Cup vice-captain Darren Clarke (2/1) and Ireland’s Michael Hoey (13/8) are two off the lead. McIlroy recovered after four bogeys in six holes to get three off the lead at 67.
Ireland’s Damien McGrane (9/4) is sharing second with a 65. Last year’s runner-up, Robert Rock, also hit a 65, but then was disqualified for a scorecard mix-up. With the way Clarke is performing, he may play his way into a spot on Europe’s Ryder Cup team. He won the JP McManus Pro-Am and finished second in the Scottish Open. We could be in store for a Ryder Cup recall, even though European captain Colin Montgomerie named his as one of his assistants last week. Clarke was also invited to the U.S. PGA Tour recently.
McIlroy, ranked eighth in the world and the highest at the event, made eight birdies, but also hit four bogeys. His world ranking rose thanks in large part to his third place finish in the British Open Championship at St. Andrews. Lowry is ranked 82nd in the world and has been decent this season. Another Irishman, Graeme McDowell (6/4), has good value in the Irish Open after winning the U.S Open at Pebble Beach and the Scottish Open. Fellow countryman Padraig Harrington (6/4) has three Majors to his name but has been inconsistent in 2010. He hasn’t grabbed a spot at the Ryder Cup and missed the cut at St. Andrews, causing him to slip to #18 in the world. Harrington won the Irish Open in 2007 and has nice each-way value.
Those names listed in parentheses are the second round, three ball odds according to their group from Ladbrokes. For more odds on the Irish Open, visit the online gambling operator.