Chasing Ladybirds

In tracing Ireland’s remarkable contribution to the Open Championship, Dermot Gilleece takes us back to 1913 when Royal Dublin’s Michael Moran became the first player from this island to claim prize money in the world’s oldest Major. In the event, Moran was awarded £12 10s for a share of third place with the great Harry Vardon behind the winner, JH Taylor. Sadly, Moran was only 31 when he died five years later as a soldier in the British Army in the First World War. All of the Irish triumphs in the Open, along with some notable near misses, are recounted in this latest offering from Gilleece, who details the stories behind the various challenges. In the process, we are brought up close and personal to some of the game’s leading figures encountered by the author during a career in golf-writing. Right up to this year’s staging at Royal Portrush, which happened to be the 41st Open Gilleece has attended, since his debut at Muirfield in 1980.