From Mount Juliet
The crowds and the sunshine have descended on the course for pro-am day at the Irish Open.
Yesterday the finishing touches were being applied ahead of the off and today there's a real festival feel in the air. A non-descript band is offering some entertainment near one of the many refreshments areas.
The wind has died down significantly and while the flags are still moving they aren't straining against the ropes that hold them.
GAA jerseys from Cork, Galway, Dublin and more can be seen dotted amongst the assembled masses as everyone tries to get an up-close and personal look at the golfers who will make their way through 72 holes of parkland this weekend.
Aside from the obvious Waterford interest in Seamus Power, other sporting alumni have dusted off their clubs for a crack at the pristine fairways. Former Irish internationals John O' O Shea and Stephen Hunt have been doing their best to prove the validity of their handicaps with mixed results.
On Tuesday the ground was surprisingly boggy but it has dried out overnight and now it's warm and balmy walking around the course.
What of the lad from West Waterford?
Power will start this weekend as one of the two favorites with the bookies - the numbers aren't readily available, but you can be sure his odds were not nearly as favorable three years ago in Lahinch. His fellow countryman and playing partner on Thursday Shane Lowry is the outright favorite with the bookmakers.
Speaking to the media after his pro-am back nine Seamus was in a positive and offering mood, well aware that he is not the golfer he was the last time he played at his home open.
"That is the goal [to become a major contender] you want to play in the big tournaments, you want to compete at the big tournaments. You want to get in contention more and you want to win more. The goals have definitely changed. I do think I can continue the climb".
That climb has seen the Touraneena man go from well outside the world's top 400 to his current 36th place spot. The win at the Barbasol last summer propelled him into the general conversation, but it was his steady top of the leaderboard performances on either side of that event in Kentucky that had the form-changing impact.
Power is now up there with the rest of the field as a golfer who needs to be considered before the first tee. His recent T9 finish at the PGA Championship is proof that this is not a flash in the pan and the West Waterford man is very much here to stay. With his card secured for this year and for 2023 also, he has the privilege of playing the events he pleases. Something he wasn't able to boast on back in 2019.
When he last played the Irish Open in Lahinch, it hampered his chances on the PGA Tour, and ultimately put his argument for a card in jeopardy.
"I hadn't played it in so long and I had to have that opportunity. Especially being in Lahinch and something so special like that I didn't think I could turn it down. I'm glad I didn't. That was an incredible week and everyone there enjoyed it. I've great memories of it and I think that's what makes the Irish Open so special. I remember everything about that week in Lahinch and I feel this week is going to be the same".
His "Faithful" playing partner
Lowry meanwhile is eagerly waiting to get going. The Offaly native is of course a previous champion at this event having won as an amateur in 2009. Since then he's gone on to become a mainstay on the PGA Tour picking up an Open Championship along the way. The 35-year-old is hoping that he can offer his best if he's to content by Sunday.
"I say it every year, it's always great to come back to The Irish Open, the tournament. It's kind of close to me, and I owe a lot to it for where I am in the game with the start that I had with The Irish Open in 2009, and, yeah, gave me the kick start to my career that I really needed. I'm playing some good golf, and I'm just kind of excited for the week ahead, and I'm very hopeful that I put in a good performance."
Tyrell Hatton will be flying the English flag in between the two Irish lads tomorrow, and while there will undoubtedly be a few fans following Hatton the biggest crowds on the opening two days will be here for Lowry and Power who rank 24th & 36th.
They will be standing on the first tee at 8 am and you can expect there to be a massive crowd there when they do so.
