Did you know?
Busy with catchy headlines for the Irish Open, I decided to Google the expression, “Luck of the Irish” and find out more about its derivation. It dates back to the 1800’s and has its roots in the fact that the Irish really are not lucky at all. It actually refers to their bad luck having throughout history suffered famine and invasions that claimed millions of lives.
According to the Urban Dictionary, “Luck of the Irish” is more of an attitude – a positive look at a bad situation, rather than a reference to good luck. In other words, a positive outlook and a great sense of humour, as depicted by on-line contributor Eileen:
Mary: “I was just wearing my new shoes today when I stepped in a huge cow-shit.”
Michael: “Well then, ‘tis a lucky thing you were wearing your shoes!”
Mary: “Yeah, luck of the Irish!”
A whacky tale indeed!
Luiten’s hole-in-one in Ireland
Now that brings me back to Joost Luiten playing in the Irish Open (6-9 July) at Portstewart GC. The Dutch Tour player had a hole-in-one at the par three, 6th hole in the first round. It looked a very promising start in the lucrative Rolex-series tournament. But unlucky for Joost, he didn’t win a flash car for his shot supreme, as is often the case on the European Tour.
His ace was much-needed though after having dropped shots at the 2nd and 4th holes. A birdie at the 7th followed to further limit the damage, but even so he only managed to scrape home at one-under par. Rounds two and three showed more promise (69-69), but with just two birdies on Sunday to compensate for two bogeys, including one at the final hole, Luiten had to settle for a level-par round of 72 and a disappointing share of 54th spot on 7-under par along with Matthew Fitzpatrick (England), Paul Dunne (Irelandl) and Rikard Karlberg (Sweden).
As far as I’m aware, he wasn’t even awarded a set of Waterford Crystal whiskey tumblers in recognition of his ace achievement. We commiserate with him: “Troost Joost!” However, he did receive a prize-cheque of 20,795 euros for 54th spot. Guess you win some and lose some!
Joost’s other career aces
Some would say that it was about time that Joost scored another ace. Indeed, his last hole-in-one before Ireland was back in 2012 when playing in the Dubai World Championship. Unlucky for Joost, once again there was no special prize on that hole for a one-shot wonder.
However, it’s not all doom and gloom for Holland’s golf talent, he has been richly-rewarded for a hole-in-one on one occasion and that was for his first ever career ace on the European Tour in 2007. It was in the Alfred Dunhill Championship and he won himself an Audi car. Now that’s not too shabby for one shot!
“Proost Joost!”
Wendy Hoad
READ MORE about the Irish Open HERE:
Young Spaniard wins Irish Open in style
Federer 10,000 aces – Luiten 3
Shame for Shane! – More luck-of-the-Irish tales
PICTURED: Joost Luiten on his way to victory in the 2016 KLM Open.