Irish Open betting tips: Mac attack? Rory returns to K Club nine years from title win

Irish Open: Things to consider

The Amgen Irish Open takes place from the K Club in Straffan, Co. Kildare for only the second time since 2016 when Rory McIlroy finally broke through to win his national title. 

His five-wood into the par five 18th hole at the Palmer North course, setting up a tap in eagle, will forever remain in my memory as one of the best shots I have witnessed.

Love golf? Find the best golf betting sites and bet with welcome bonuses today.

The K Club also hosted the Irish Open in 2023 when Vincent Norman came from the pack shooting seven-under par to claim the prestigious trophy. 

Thriston Lawrence won the Omega European Masters last week where all the hopefuls for that last captain’s pick for the Ryder Cup were in contention. Matt Fitzpatrick and Matt Wallace featured in the final group while Marco Penge (18/1 with Betfred) was once again sniffing around the leaderboard.

Luke Donald has now named his six picks, and I don’t think there were many surprises as it looks like Fitzpatrick got that final spot that may have been open to consideration. All six picks played in the win in Rome in 2023.

Five thousand Race to Dubai points are on offer as Marco Penge looks to hunt down McIlroy and there is a raised prize pool of $6m (£4.43m).

Amgen Irish Open: Top of the market  

The third and fourth events of the ‘back nine’ swing are the Irish Open and the BMW Championship at Wentworth. They will lead us into the Ryder Cup at the end of September.

Rory McIlroy (7/2 with Betway) is an unsurprising short priced market leader for the Amgen Irish Open as he returns to the K Club where he claimed his only Irish Open title all the way back in 2016. 

McIlroy nearly got his hands on his second Irish Open trophy last year at Royal County Down only to be pipped by Dane Rasmus Hojgaard who he will be playing alongside in this year’s Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black - where we have looked at the latest odds now both Team Europe and Team USA have announced their final picks. 

It's a strong Irish Open field with a bit of a strange feel to it as some LIV golfers make their way over to the Emerald Isle including Patrick Reed (25/1 Betfred), Tyrell Hatton (11/1 Spreadex) and Brooks Koepka (28/1 Betway).

Shane Lowry who just had the friendly phone call from Luke Donald will be buoyed ahead of his national open which he loves and won as an amateur. The top price on Lowry is 16/1 with Betfred. 

Jordan Smith and Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen must also be respected in the betting at general prices of 35/1 and 25/1.

The K Club is renowned as one of the strongest and most pristine parkland tracks in Europe. Designed by the man himself Arnold Palmer, the Palmer North course plays over 7,400 yards to a par 72.

Hitting dog-legged fairways is a prerequisite but it's also a long track with elevation changes. A good short game and imagination is needed. The K Club features thick punishing rough, strategically placed bunkers and water hazards on several holes. 

Here’s more: First round leader betting - Four key factors and strategies for fast starters

Strong drives will set you up to take on the three par fives on the back nine. Elevated, pristine, large and contoured greens along with the wind will be a factor so smart club selection and distance control is needed from approaches.

With all this in mind, I’m sticking with in form players at the top of their games here:

Thriston Lawrence is a potential superstar in the making, and he now has five DP World Tour victories, yet the bookmakers still don’t seem to take much notice. 

Lawrence could easily pick up where he left off last week and last time out at the K Club too, where he finished in a tie for third place. Lawrence was also third in the 2022 Irish Open.

Keita Nakajima ranks 15th in ‘strokes gained off the tee’ and 24th in ‘greens in regulation’ on tour this season and the Japanese player has been on fire the last couple of weeks in terms of par breakers. 

Nakajima finished fourth at the British Masters then hit 20 birdies and two eagles enroute to a top 20 finish at the European Masters.

Angel Ayora is a young Spanish superstar ranking ninth in ‘par five scoring’, 17th in ‘strokes gained tee to green’ and ‘sixth in ‘strokes gained off the tee’. Ayora sits 17th in ‘driving distance’ and comes to Ireland off the back of impressive and progressive t13 and t8 finishes at the British Masters and Omega European Masters respectively. Ayora went 66-66-64 over last weekend.

FIRST’s top tip for the Irish Open

Thriston Lawrence has won five times on the DP World Tour and was third at the K Club two years ago. Back the South African to win the Irish Open at 40/1 (eight places) each way at Coral.

Pick: Thriston Lawrence to win the Irish Open - 40/1 (eight places) e/w at Coral

Extra tips

Keita Nakajima is hitting peak form at the right time and making birdies in bunches. Back him to win the tournament at 45/1 each way (eight places) with Ladbrokes.

The Spanish youngster Ayora is also rounding into form, and big things are expected of him. Get Ayora onside at 50/1 (eight places) each way with Ladbrokes or Coral.

Irish Open value bets 

Recent DP World Tour winner Grant Forrest seems to love playing in Ireland. The Nexo Championship and now two-time DP World Tour winner owns three top five finishes and a 14th place from five Irish Open appearances. 

He was tied for third at the K Club in 2003 and although he (perhaps unsurprisingly) missed the cut at the British Masters after his win, he did hit a 68 in round two.

Richard Mansell has progressive 54-45 Irish Open finishes from two starts and in 2023 at the K Club he was going much better until a poor final round. 

Check out: Course layout and the five pillars of success to inform your golf betting strategy

Mansell played his best stuff last week at Cran-Sur-Sierre Golf Club since winning in Singapore. The Englishman is a big hitter ranking 20th in ‘strokes gained off the tee’ and can take advantage of the par 5s at the K Club. Mansell hit two rounds of 65 and a 64 last week up the mountain for an eventual sixth place finish.

Romain Langasque has been creeping onto my radar in recent weeks. He was 23rd at the K Club two years ago. Langasque has averaged 30th place in his last two starts and hit a third round 64 in Crans last week. He is returning into form after posting a top 10 at the Soudal Open earlier in the season.

FIRST’s top value tips for Irish Open

Grant Forrest will be heading to a place he loves full of confidence. Back the Scot for DP World Tour win number three at 70/1 (six places) each way with Spreadex.

Richard Mansell can use his power to make par breakers in abundance, and the K Club lends itself to a controlled aggressive style. Back Mansell at 66/1 (eight places) each way with Ladbrokes.

Romain Langasque is sneaking quietly into form. Back the Frenchman to win the Irish Open at 150/1 (six places) each way with Spreadex.

Responsible gambling with FIRST

You must be 18+ to gamble. Gambling is a form of entertainment, not a way to make money. Our tips and advice help you enjoy gambling, but there is always a chance a bet or casino game can lose.

Never bet more than you can afford to lose. Stop betting if you are angry, emotional or under the influence of alcohol.

Warning signs of problem gambling: chasing losses, betting money needed for bills, or feeling unable to stop.

Need help? Visit our responsible sports betting page or our responsible casino gambling page, or contact the support organisations listed below if you're struggling to control your gambling:

Gamblers Anonymous UK

BeGambleAware

GAMSTOP

National Gambling Support Network

Gamcare

NHS National Gambling Clinic

Odds correct at the time of writing.