The combined puling power of Rory McIlroy and entrepreneur Dermot Desmond should ensure new WGC – Caddilac Championship winner Dustin Johnson will tee up in this year’s Irish Open.
Johnson came from five shots back at the start of Sunday’s last day to win in his fifth event this new season after a mysterious six -month self-imposed lay-off from the game.
If Johnson accepts an invitation will join fellow victorious 2007 USA Walker Cup colleague Rickie Fowler teeing on May 28th at Royal Country Down.
Rory McIlroy and Justin Johnson chatting during the course of the 2015 Honda Classic.
And the good news only gets better for the Irish Open with the five-year wait for a new title sponsor to be announced on Friday and with sources suggesting a ‘name’ household Ireland brand.
Johnson revealed after being handed his ninth PGA Tour victory trophy that both McIlroy and Desmond had been busy ‘twisting’ his arm in recent weeks.
“Rory and I talked about it and he made a pretty strong case for me to play the Irish Open so hopefully it will work out but I’m just not sure of my schedule at this stage so I am going to try and make it work,” he said.
“I would love to go back there to Royal County Down as it is one of my favourite links cousres.
“I played the Walker Cup there so I have very good memories so I really enjoyed it.
“Dermot also said to me when he was over for Pebble Beach that I had better to come. I told him that if sends his plane for me I might think about it (smiling).”
And with plenty of copy being devoted to a rival stepping up to tackle McIlroy, Johnson insists he’s not affraid of confronting the World No. 1 front on.
“Clearly, Rory is a really great player and has won a couple of Majors now but then I think I can play with him,” said Johnson.
“So I’m not afraid of him and that’s for sure.
“He’s a great golfer and I think I am too, so I would really like to have the chance to come down the stretch with him and see what we’re both made of.
Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson chatting during last year’s Open Championship at Royal Liverpool.
“He and I are really good friends and we live right across the water from each other, so I think it would be fun to take him on. I know I’m up for the challenge.”
While McIlroy may have been chatting with Johnson he’s also been texting former Masters winner Adam Scott after the Australian hinted earlier last week he would weclome an invitation to Royal County Down.
“I heard what Adam had to say and I texted him straight away but then I didn’t bother asking him earlier as he won the Colonial last year so I knew he would be going back to defend,” said McIlroy.
However Scott’s defence of the Crowne Plaza Invitational Colonial is a week prior to the Irish Open and it’s why he hinted strongly he could be enticed to cross ‘The Pond’ to tee-up in the shadow of the Moune Mountains.
“I haven’t receieved my invitation yet, so I will check the mail,” said Scott smiling.
“I’ve never played Royal County Down and I would love to, and it would be nice to play given it looks like a good week coming up in May.
“I had some good fun at the Irish Open’s back in the days in my youth when I was on the European Tour (smiling).”
And Scott predicts the day will come when he expect McIlroy to be joining him at an Augusta National ‘Champions Dinner’.
“I would say the odds are in Rory’s favour,” said Scott
