On Saturday at the Irish Open. One of the golf spectacles of the year for the Irish golfing community. As people leave their jobs and responsibilities for the week, they turn their focus toward one man, Rory McIlroy.
Or at least that’s certainly how it felt on Saturday as myself and my brother arrived at The K Club in County Kildare, Ireland. A course already well known after hosting the 2006 Ryder Cup. Known for it’s unique pristine nature amongst some rolling hills and great water features, it makes for a great walk.
We started our day on the tee box of the 190-yard par 3 3rd hole. Given how early we were we managed to get right up to the boards that surround the tee box. We began looking at the list of players who would be making their way to the 3rd within the next while and instantly, one name stood out, none other than Shane Lowry.
So happily, we waited, watching players like Thomas Detry and Bernard Wiesberger tee off while waiting for the Irish native to arrive. His eventual arrival was quite peculiar as, you heard him coming, before you could see him.
You could hear him coming in the roar of the crowd as his name gets announced on the first hole. You could hear him coming in the shuffle and chatter of the patrons rushing a hole in front of him to get a better view.
We could hear him, until we could see him walk down the second fairway, up to his ball and hit a wedge shot with a ball flight so low, you can only sit in amazement at the mastery he might possess.
Watching his tee shot on the 3rd hole was an experience, being able to watch his demeanour and how he interacts with his caddy and environment around him. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little frightened by the man, knowing the subtle beast that hides behind the kind face.
Next, was the main event on everyone’s schedule, the main course of the menu. The annual viewing of Rory McIlroy’s late Saturday charge at the Irish Open. If I thought that the hordes of Footjoy polos carrying full umbrellas was big for Shane, I didn’t know what hit me when Rory came around.
Once again, we waited on the 3rd and got treated to a delightful 8 iron from Rory, an 8-iron that pinged a sound I’m not sure I’ve ever seen an 8-iron ping. With his par secured on the par 3 3rd, we decided to join the treacherous journey across the course and follow Rory.
What was to follow can only be described as a rat race of jostling for the best vantage point, watching shots through people’s phone videos and enough standing on my toes to not need to work out my calves for another year. They truly mean it when they say that Rory McIlroy, has the support of a nation. He sure did that Saturday.
As we ventured toward the car crossing the 9th fairway to board the 18th green we decided to stop and watch him finish out his 18th hole. We felt we owed it to him to support to the very end after the thrilling experience he had given us. He did not disappoint, as he went on to birdie the final hole.
In the car home I was silent, a little bit from the tiredness that comes with eight hours of walking around the golf course, the other half was spent thinking. What does Rory McIlroy mean to Ireland? Why is it that Shane Lowry didn’t get the same support as Rory did the whole way around? Could it be because Shane just isn’t as good? Maybe, but maybe not.
I think the answer to the question can be found not in Ireland’s answer, but in Rory’s answer. His love letter to the country of Ireland being his final round on Sunday as he put an entire nation on his back, gritted his teeth, and clawed a victory at the eleventh hour after he holed an eagle putt on the last hole to force a playoff.
A tremble from which could be heard from the tip of Donegal to the Depth of Cork. His relentless play in the playoff would eventually give him the hard-earned win of his national open over the Swede Lagergren.
A win that allowed Rory to show his appreciation and love for the people of Ireland and allowed Ireland to show their love to him.
11/09/25
E.J Ganaza
The Sunday Pin
The Sunday Pin Golf 
Leave a comment