A total of 27 Irish players will this week join an international field of Major winners and European Tour champions for the 59th edition of the Irish Open.
Ireland’s quartet of Major Champions – Darren Clarke, Padraig Harrington, Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy – will lead the home challenge at Cork’s stunning Fota Island Resort, which is hosting the €2million tournament for the first time in 12 years.
That stellar cast will be ably supported by their compatriots Michael Hoey, Peter Lawrie, Shane Lowry, Ireland’s first Ryder Cup Captain Paul McGinley, Damien McGrane and Simon Thornton, all of whom have previously entered the winners’ circle on The European Tour.
In addition, eight places in the elite field have been assigned to the leading players in the PGA of Ireland’s Order or Merit, whilst a further four places were given to some of the country’s brightest young amateurs.
Lowry was the last Irishman – and the first amateur – to win his national Open, at Baltray in 2009, and after a runner-up finish behind McIlroy in last month’s BMW PGA Championship, the Clara native will be confident of succeeding England’s Paul Casey as champion.
Casey and Lowry will be joined in Ireland’s second city by their fellow former champions Simon Dyson (2011), Ross Fisher (2010), Richard Finch (2008), Harrington (2007), Stephen Dodd (2005), Brett Rumford (2004), Søren Hansen (2002), Patrick Sjöland (2000) and José María Olazábal (1990).
Hansen won the tournament the last time it was played at Fota Island Resort, in 2002, since when a number of changes have been made to the par 71 course, including a new tee on the sixth hole which demands a 205-yard carry over the water from the back tees. The quartet of par fives have also been lengthened by a combined 128 yards, taking the total length to 7,043 yards.
Other notable names in the field include World Number 36 Stephen Gallacher of Scotland, former European Number One Robert Karlsson of Sweden, big-hitting Spaniard Alvaro Quiros and former BMW PGA Champion Matteo Manassero of Italy.
England’s Matthew Fitzpatrick, who last week became the first player since Bobby Jones in 1930 to finish as the leading amateur in both the US Open Championship and The Open Championship, will be making his professional debut after being offered a sponsor’s invitation.
His compatriot Garrick Porteous, who won the Amateur Championship last year, will also continue his golfing education with a debut appearance in the tournament.
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