Golf:Although it will hardly come as a major surprise, the news that Rory McIlroy has confirmed his intention to play the 3 Irish Open is nevertheless a welcome boost for organisers of the national open.
Having fought hard for a change of date, from May to a prime late-summer slot on the August bank holiday weekend, the field for Killarney promises to be one of the strongest in years. The addition of McIlroy, who has not missed an Irish Open since turning professional in late 2007, bears testament to that.
The world number nine has decided to divide his time between the US and European tours this season but was unlikely to miss the chance to follow in the footsteps of close friend Shane Lowry, who secured a fairytale win at Baltray last year.
And, having already made his breakthrough on the PGA Tour at Quail Hollow, the 21-year-old is in no doubt just where the Irish Open rates on his list of priorities.
“It would be huge to win it. Padraig (Harrington) always says that outside the Majors, the Irish Open is the one he wants to win above all the others and I feel the same way about it.”
With the event moving back to a revamped Killeen Course in Killarrney, McIlroy is expecting a world class field to assemble in the south west over the Bank Holiday weekend.
“It’s a different course that I haven’t actually played before but the new date is a big bonus for the tournament,” he added.
“I do know that the course will be a good test if Faldo won round there twice, and we will have a very strong field – I know Lee Westwood is coming over so we will have at least two or three players from the top ten in the world.”