SOCIAL :: Players in awe of Irish Open venue

It may be ranked No.4 in Golf Digest’s list of the top 100 courses in the world, but that hasn’t stopped players at this week’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open taking to social media to share the beauty of Royal County Down GC with their followers.

This is the first time since 1939 that the course in Newcastle has hosted the tournament and, with a fantastic field boosted by the appearance of world No.1 Rory McIlroy – who is also hosting the event through his foundation – players and fans alike are in for a treat.

But while the Championship course offers a superb test of links golf, with surprisingly flat greens, ‘as if to compensate for the rugged terrain and numerous blind shots’, what can’t be dictated on the day is the weather and during practice, you wouldn’t have thought it was the end of May anyway!

Lee Westwood posted on Instagram:

Bernd Wiesberger was certainly wrapping up!

While Luke Donald and his caddie opted for their woolly hats.

But aside from the weather, the overriding thoughts of the players was of admiration of the Championship course, with Ernie Els particularly delighted to be back at a course he hasn’t played at since 1998!

Danny Willett has this view from his hotel window overlooking the Mourne Mountains.

While Scotland’s Paul Lawrie was in awe of this view from the fourth tee.

Royal County Down GC :: Played there?

Have you played Royal County Down before? If so, how did you find it? Leave your thoughts below.