Rory McIlroy Comfirm to Next Irish Open
Rory McIlroy gave the ailing Irish Open a mega-boost yesterday by confirming he'll definitely play in the event next June.This is particularly good news for hard-pressed European Tour officials as their search for a title sponsor for the Irish Open stretches into 15 months.
McIlroy has become the biggest draw in professional golf since his record-shattering victory in last summer's US Open at Congressional and he might well achieve his stated ambition and leapfrog current World No 1 Luke Donald to the top of the heap in the first half of 2012.
McIlroy has become the biggest draw in professional golf since his record-shattering victory in last summer's US Open at Congressional and he might well achieve his stated ambition and leapfrog current World No 1 Luke Donald to the top of the heap in the first half of 2012.
So, his absence would have left the Irish Open with about as much appeal as a Harry Potter movie without magic and would've made as much sense as Titanic without the iceberg.
The Irish Open's new slot on the European Tour schedule (June 28-July 1) places it on the same weekend as the PGA Tour's AT&T National, which returns in 2012 to Congressional, a venue which would have obvious appeal to the 22-year-old Ulsterman.
Yet he made plain yesterday his sense of duty to his national open when he said: "There has been a lot of speculation on whether or not I'll play the Irish Open next year, so I am happy to announce I'll definitely play the tournament in 2012.
"For me, the Irish Open has always been, and will continue to be, one of the most important events on the global golf calendar and it's obviously a title I'd love to win at some stage in my career."
McIlroy is especially aware of the importance of putting his shoulder to the wheel during such difficult times in Ireland and the role a successful Irish Open will play in boosting tourism, morale and the local economy.
"With Irish golf on such a high in recent years, it is important that we put on a good show not only for the home fans, but also for the global audience who will be watching on TV," he said. "A lot has been made of me joining the PGA Tour again next year, but in reality, it's not a drastic change to the schedule I have played in recent seasons.
"Taking my PGA Tour card again does not mean that I'm going to neglect my European Tour status. I'll continue to play a similar schedule of events in Europe and will obviously fulfil my commitment to the European Tour."
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