A strong line-up of 60 players has gathered 45 minutes north of Dublin for the third regular event of the season, including Riegler and Partner Legends champion and Order of Merit number one Adilson da Silva, 2005 US Open victor Michael Campbell and 1991 Masters winner Ian Woosnam.
Another of the leading lights in the field is Paul Lawrie, and the 1999 Open champion is enjoying being back in Ireland. “It’s always good to play golf in Ireland and I’ve had some nice weeks here on the main tour. It’s very similar to Scotland, the people are nice, and the Guinness is decent. It’s always a great week playing here, and great fun.
“Links golf is my favourite. I’ve always enjoyed it and I don’t mind a bit of bad weather. I quite like having my jacket on. Normally over here it can be similar to Scotland and the weather isn’t always the best. It’s great fun bumping it, keeping it low and keeping it under the wind.”
Some of the other headliners include defending champion and 2002 Ryder Cup player Phillip Price, last year’s Order of Merit number one James Kingston and 2021 Senior Open winner Stephen Dodd. The Irish challenge comes from Ryder Cupper Philip Walton, former DP World Tour player Gary Murphy and three-time Challenge Tour winner David Higgins.
Seapoint was co-designed by two-time Ryder Cup player and eight-time DP World Tour winner, Des Smyth, and opened for play in 1995. It has previously hosted the DP World Tour, two Irish PGAs and the country’s leading amateur event, the Irish Amateur Close Championship.
Smyth is co-hosting the tournament this week alongside fellow former Tour professional-turned-Irish golf business aficionado Roddy Carr. The course will play as a par-72 at 6,822 yards and features a brilliant closing stretch of holes along the coastline. The 16th is a potentially-driveable par-4, the 17th is a gorgeous 187-yard par-3 and the 18th is a reachable par-5 that is sure to deliver drama.
“We’re immensely proud of the golf course we designed and built at Seapoint,” said Smyth. “The closing stretch of holes are set on some of the most beautiful links lands and I am sure it will challenge these great players. I look forward to welcoming and hosting friends old and new on the links in my home county.”
Play gets underway at 8am tomorrow (Friday 23 June) – check out tee times HERE.
