While being credited by the European Tour in the news the Irish Open will be staged in 2015 at Royal County Down and in 2017 at Loch Erne, Rory McIlroy now intends to continue to use his influence to meet with the Tour to secure a more favourable date for future Irish Open’s.
The staging of the 2015 Irish Open has been set as May 28th to 31st and a month prior to the US Open.
However with the location and date of next year’s Irish Open along with a date not yet set for the 2017 Loch Erne Irish Open, McIlroy will not doubt draw on his strong spectator ‘drawing power’ and encourage the Tour to stage the 2016, 2017 and further Irish Open around the time of the British Open.
“It’s just awesome the Irish Open is heading to County Down and Loch Erne as both are very special to me,” he said.
“I played the Walker Cup there in 2007 and Loch Erne is a great decision. I was invited to play the opening match with Padraig and was attached to Loch Erne when I first started out on the Tour.
Rory McIlroy to use his influence and speak with the European Tour in securing better dates for future Irish Open’s. (Photo – www.golffile.ie)
“Both are great golf courses and it’s great they are starting to rotate the tournament around Ireland.
“But then I would love to see the Irish Open trade spots with the French Open and I want to talk to the Tour about because it would be great, especially in 2015, to play three links course in a row.
“I was ask the Tour if we could go Irish Open and Scottish Open’s running into The Open and what a stretch that would be, and we’re already seeing this year how many players are being attracted to play this year’s Scottish going into Hoylake.”
Former Irish Open champion Padraig Harrington has also welcomed the news and commenting ahead of teeing off in the Shell Houston Open.
“It’s great news for Royal County Down and Loch Erne with Royal County Down one of the best in the country,” said Harrington.
“It’s going to be interesting because I’ve never played a big tournament at County Down while it will be great to return to Loch Erne as Rory played together at the course opening.
“The good thing, particularly with County Down, is that it’s not far from Dublin so there should be great crowds.”
And Darren Clarke has also warmly embraced the double decision.
“It’s going to be a great boost for the Irish Open going to a links gem that is Royal County Down and then to Loch Erne which is a fabulous resort-style course,” he said.
“We saw the reaction two years ago when the Tour took the Irish Open to Royal Portrush and I can see similar crowds attending.
“Unfortunately I don’t know either course that well but then County Down is a brilliant golf course while it’s fabulous news for Loch Erne to stage an Irish Open.
“But whatever the date they decide for 2016 and beyond will be hugely important as we have to get away from the week after the US Open which is the case this year.”
