Barrie Trainor among the first to confirm he will be lining up in the 2012 Irish Open at Royal Portrush. (Photo - www.golffile.ie/Jenny Matthews)

Ireland PGA No. 1 Barrie Trainor is among the first to confirm his place in the 2012 Irish Open at Royal Portrush.

The European Tour looked set to confirm the famed Dunluce course at Royal Portrush as the venue this year for Ireland’s premier event.

Trainor, who turned 30 last August, earned his place not only in the Irish Open but also a tee time in May’s European Tour flagship event, the BMW PGA in finishing first on the Irish PGA Order of Merit in 2011.

Last October, Trainor captured the Lexus Race to Mount Juliet tournament in association with PING and Failte Ireland to claim the Order of Merit title.

“I can’t wait as I’ve played the last three Irish Open’s with Shane Lowry including the first two rounds at Baltray in 2009 when he won it, and made the cut in Killarney in 2010 but missed it last year,” said Trainor on Facebook.

“Irish PGA No.1 last year and I hope to do well in Portrush (I know it well).

“I’m also playing Wentworth but haven’t played there yet but going over in March for a week, or so.” 

The Warrenpoint golfer has already sent a ‘tweet’ to Rory McIlroy hoping to catch-up with the reigning U.S. Open champion at Wentworth and Royal Portrush.