Houston, TX …
Olympic Games Gold medal winning Justin Rose confirmed he has entered, and without any ‘arm-twisting’ from event host Rory McIlroy, to contest this year’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Portstewart.
News of Rose’s entry, and the highest-ranked player outside of Ireland, comes on top of confirmation of a strong Irish contingent teeing up in the July 6th starting event.
It will be the first Irish Open for the current World No. 13 ranked Rose in seven long years since he finished T44th in the 2010 event at Killarney Golf & Fishing Club.
It will be only Rose’s fifth Irish Open showing since his debut in 2000 at Ballybunion but he missed the cut before then playing the next two years at Fota Island, finishing T15th and T53rd.
Justin Rose to bring his passion to this year’s Irish Open.
“I figured in working out my schedule ahead of The Open that I would either play the Irish Open or the Scottish Open, so I’ve decided to contest the Irish,” he said.
“So, this year I fancy contesting the Irish Open but then I don’t think even Rory knows at this stage, so certainly he’s not twisted my arm to play and besides it’s just something I want to do”.
Strangely, and despite Rose’s very strong amateur career, he says he’s never played golf in Co. Antrim including teeing-up at the famed Royal Portrush.
And Rose, in speaking with him at this week’s Shell Houston Open, was not aware of the Portstewart’s location before it was pointed out to the former U.S. Open winner it’s close proximity to Royal Portrush and venue also for the 2019 Open Championship.
“That’s amazing as I had no idea Portstewart was so close to Royal Portrush but then I’ve never been to that part of Northern Ireland, so I’m very much looking forward to the week,” he said.
“So, it’s going to be cool and it’s been so long since I played in an Irish Open.
Portstewart Golf Club to host 2017 Irish Open and to be staged two weeks before The Open. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
“Playing the Irish, and just like when I would play the Scottish Open, helps me recalibrate to links golf and adjust to the conditions.
“And I’ve not entered the Scottish (Won in 2014 at Royal Aberdeen) as three weeks of links golf I feel would be a gamble.
“I just do think it would guarantee I would play well heading into The Open given any of those three weeks could be a foul weather week.”
A fortnight following the Irish Rose returns to Royal Birkdale where as a 17-year old amateur he finished T4th in the 1998 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.
But then Rose, and now aged 36, is adamant that in returning to Royal Birkdale 19 years on he does not want to dwell on the events of 1998.
“I am just happy I’ve done it once at Birkdale, and I know I am going to be asked in coming weeks and months but that is all I am going to say.”
