Bethesda, MD —- The big three of Irish golf have convened in Bethesda, Maryland this week to battle for the United States Open championship, a golf major title that is currently held by Irishman Graeme McDowell.
And all three, McDowell, Rory McIlroy and Padraig Harrington, looked as relaxed as you could expect on the eve of four days of tee to green battle at Congressional Country Club, one of the top courses in the country.
At one point Tuesday, McIlroy and McDowell shared space and conversation on the practice ground. Harrington, who has had some injury concerns of late, seemed in good shape as he drove balls with a big headed driver.
Modest as he usually is, Harrington demurred when it was put to him that the “big three” of Irish golf were gathered on the same course, not something that happens most weeks of the golfing year.
Harrington suggested that there were other Irish golfers who deserved to be counted in the “big” category.
Harrington will be pursuing his fourth major when play starts on Thursday, while McDowell will be playing for a back-to-back U.S. open win.
McIlroy, by far the youngest of the trio, is still seeking his first major, but his form of late has been good. He finished fifth the other week in the Memorial Tournament played in, of course, Dublin, Ohio.
