Big-hitting Dustin Johnson has not yet ruled out contesting the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open later his month at Royal County Down.

American Dustin Johnson still considering contesting the Irish Open. (Photo – Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ie)

Johnson was a member of the 2007 winning USA Walker Cup team on the course laid out in the shadow of the Mourne Mountains.

And after seeing a 63-yard wedge lip-out for eagle at the last in a second straight round of 72 the big-hitting American confirmed he is still in dialogue with McIlroy and joining winning Walker Cup team-mate Rickie Fowler.

“I’m still not sure if I will play the Irish Open and it’s still up in the air, and as much as I would like to return to Royal County Down, I’m still balancing my schedule over here,” said Johnson.

“I would very much like to go and I’ve been talking to Rory a lot, and he’s asked me to play and I would really like to but then having missed a good part of the year already I have catch up in playing a lot of events over here.”

If Johnson does decide to return to Northern Ireland he’ll join one of the strongest fields ever to tee up in the Irish Open.

Among those already confirmed are Major Champions Padraig Harrington, Graeme McDowell, Darren Clarke, Ernie Els, Paul Lawrie, Jose Maria Olazabal and McIlroy the tournament host.