Seven Major winners headed by Ireland’s big four – Padraig Harrington, Graeme McDowell, Rory McIlroy and Darren Clarke – have been confirmed to head the field for next week’s Irish Open.
Also competing at Carton House will be fellow Major winners, Jose Maria Olazabal, Scotland’s Paul Lawrie and New Zealand’s Michael Campbell winner of the 2003 Irish Open and 2005 US Open.
When entries this afternoon (FRD) a total also of 21 Irish will be among the 156-player field with Harrington (2007) and Shane Lowry (2009) past winners of the event.
And among the big Irish contingent is Paul McGinley who will be competing in Ireland for a first time since he was appointed European Ryder Cup captain.
Two notable withdrawals have been Italy’s Edoardo Molinari and Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee who was runner-up to McDowell in the recent Volvo World Match-Play Championship in Bulgaria.
And all Irish Open competitors along with partners and guests have been invited to a private box to view next Saturday week’s (June 29th) Irish Derby at The Curragh Racecourse.
The race is due to start at 6.45pm and is only located some 30 minutes from Carton House.
The Irish Derby was first run in 1866 and this year legendary trainer, Aidan O’Brien will be looking for an eighth straight success.
