Irish Open Winner Shines in Shanghai

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Jamie Donaldson struck a course-record 62 to lead the BMW Masters by four shots on 10 under par after the first round in Shanghai.

World number one Rory McIlroy is five shots back on five under, as is Europe Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal.

England's Justin Rose, looking to overtake McIlroy in the Race to Dubai European money list, is a shot behind.

Italy's Francesco Molinari and Sweden's Peter Hanson are Donaldson's closest challengers, both on six under.

McIlroy, Rose, Molinari and Hanson are four of 11 members from Europe's victorious Ryder Cup team who are participating in China, along with skipper Olazabal, who is without a top-10 finish since January.

Rose and South African Branden Grace both have the opportunity to take the Race of Dubai lead from McIlroy, who is bidding to emulate Luke Donald's 2011 achievement of topping both the European and United States money lists in the same year.

But it was Donaldson, who won his first Tour title at the Irish Open in July, who stole a march on the field, carding birdies at 10 of the first 16 holes in benign conditions at Lake Malaren.

"It's up there with the best rounds I've ever shot," said the world number 51. "The golf course is no pushover by any stretch of the imagination."

The lack of wind made good scoring possible, according to Northern Ireland's McIlroy, who birdied the last to join Olazabal and compatriot Michael Hoey in a tie for fourth.

"Jamie has shot 10 under, which is phenomenal scoring, and I was just happy to stay somewhere within touching distance," said the two-time major winner.

"Ollie's name on the board was nice to see. A few weeks ago 12 individuals came together as part of the team and now we're back playing and trying to beat one another."

Rose, who needs a top-two finish to have a chance of overtaking McIlroy in the money list, lies alongside Germany's Martin Kaymer and South African Louis Oosthuizen on four under.

Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell and Scot Paul Lawrie are a shot further back, with Grace and English trio Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter and Luke Donald all two under.

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With This Win - Jamie Donaldson

• His first European Tour International Schedule victory in his 255th European Tour event.

• Moves to €537,722 in The Race to Dubai.

• Could move to just inside the top 60 of the Official World Golf Ranking from 116th.

• This victory beats his previous best European Tour performances of second in the 2009 SAS Masters and tied second in the 2003 Algarve Open de Portugal. Has amassed an overall total of 32 European Tour top ten finishes.

• This victory beats his previous best 2012 performance of tied third in the Trophée Hassan II.

• Becomes the tenth first-time winner of the 2012 European Tour International Schedule. He would follow: Branden Grace (Joburg Open), Jbe' Kruger (Avantha Masters), Julien Quesne (Open de Andalucía Costa del Sol), Thorbjørn Olesen (Sicilian Open), Bubba Watson (Masters Tournament), Bernd Wiesberger (Ballantine's Championship), Ricardo Santos (Madeira Islands Open - Portugal), Webb Simpson (US Open Championship) and Danny Willett (BMW International Open).

• The third consecutive first-time winner, following Webb Simpson (US Open Championship) and Danny Willett (BMW International Open).

• The first time there have been three consecutive first-time winners since Rhys Davies (2010 Trophée Hassan II), Louis Oosthuizen (2010 Open de Andalucia de Golf) and James Morrisson (2010 Madeira Islands Open).

• His victory comes in his ninth appearance in the Irish Open.

• His victory beats his previous best finish in the Irish Open of tied 13th in 2009.

• Becomes the third Welshman to win the Irish Open, following Ian Woosnam (1988 and 1989) and Stephen Dodd (2005).

OTHER FACTS

• Joins Ben Crenshaw (1976), Hubert Green (1977), Ken Brown (1978), David Carter (1998), Sergio Garcia (1999), Søren Hansen (2002) and Shane Lowry (2009), to make the Irish Open their first European Tour victory.

• Only the second time he has led going into the final round of a European Tour event. The first was the 2011 Omega European Masters, where he tied for third.

• The 15th time in the 2012 season that the 54 hole leader has gone onto win.

• Becomes the first Welshman to win on the 2012 European Tour International Schedule.

• The first Welsh victory on The European Tour since Rhys Davies at the 2010 Trophée Hassan II.

• The 45th Welsh victory on The European Tour.

• The tenth Welsh player to win on The European Tour.

• Gains a European Tour exemption until the end of 2014.

• Gains his largest European Tour prize of €333,330.

• Moves over €4 million in European Tour Official Career Earnings.

• Gains a place in the 2012 WGC - Bridgestone Invitational, 2012 WGC - HSBC Champions and 2013 Volvo Golf Champions.

• Gains his fifth win of his professional career.

• The 15th European Tour victory by a former Challenge Tour player on the 2012 European Tour from 26 events so far. He would: Louis Oosthuizen (Africa Open and Maybank Malaysian Open), Branden Grace (Joburg Open, Volvo Golf Champions and Volvo China Open), Robert Rock (Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship), Rafael Cabrera-Bello (Omega Dubai Desert Classic), Justin Rose (WGC - Cadillac Championship), Julien Quesne (Open de Andalucía Costa del Sol), Michael Hoey (Trophée Hassan II), Thørbjorn Olesen (Sicilian Open), Bernd Wiesberger (Ballantine's Championship), Ricardo Santos (Madeira Islands Open - Portugal) and Nicolas Colsaerts (Volvo World Match Play Championship).

• The 299th European Tour victory by a former Challenge Tour player.

• The 127th different former Challenge Tour player to win on The European Tour.

Courtesy European Tour 

Bookies Favourite is Still Harrington

Pádraig Harrington sets off in the third round firmly in contention for a second Irish Open title after another 67 at Royal Portrush on Friday. The Dubliner is best placed of the home contingent, two shots adrift of clubhouse leader Gregory Bourdy on 10 under.

The Frenchman, the joint-overnight leader with Jeev Milkha-Singh, shot a 67 himself but might have been better placed this evening had he maintained his early momentum this morning.

As it stood in the early evening, he held a one shot lead over England’s Mark Foster, while Harrington is joined by Italian Lorenzo Gagli a shot further back. India’s Milkha-Singh and Swede Mikael Lundberg were still in a position to make an impact on the frontrunners, with both nine under after 11 holes.

“I played well within myself, pretty solid all day,” said Harrington afterwards, but the three-time major winner admitted feeling unsure of his game at the moment despite a notable improvement in results of late. “I was putting for birdie most of the day and didn’t really put myself in trouble. It was as stress-free a 67 you can get in those conditions.”

He added: “I’m playing well, yes, but I know I could play a little better if I trusted it a little bit. I should be pretty confident going into the weekend but I’m not quite sure of myself.”

Harrington had just the one bogey, at the par-four fifth. He opened with consecutive birdies and added another at the eighth to turn in 34. Birdies at 10, 12 and 17 followed, before a narrow miss on the 18th green prevented him form picking up another.

A stunning back nine from local favourite Graeme McDowell saw him move to five under with a 68. The Northern Irishman came home in 32 with four birdies, after reaching the turn in a level par 36.

Rory McIlroy and Darren Clarke both shot 69 to advance to five under and four under respectively, while Paul McGinley finished poorly with two bogeys in his final three holes to sit alongside McIlroy and McDowell after he signed for a 70.

Shane Lowry is on four under with Clarke after the former winner carded a four-under 68, while Simon Thornton put together his second consecutive 70 to join them.

McIlroy prevented a fifth missed cut in his last six starts on a course where he shot a record 61 as a 16-year-old and will know he is capable of climbing in contention over the weekend.

McIlroy, with girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki in attendance at the event after her Wimbledon first round defeat, said: “The last two days have probably been the best ball-striking rounds I’ve had for a while.

“I didn’t do much wrong and hopefully I can have a good weekend. I need something around 64 or 65 to get myself into contention, but I’ve shot low scores here before. I’m hitting a lot of greens and if I take a few more chances I can turn a 69 into 65 very quickly.”

Major winner Keegan Bradley’s first-ever tournament in Europe lasted only two days, but the American believes he is now better equipped for The Open at Royal Lytham in three weeks.

Just to make the cut was important for Clarke as he has not managed that all season, but after closing with a 20-foot birdie putt he insisted there was no sense of relief because his sights are set higher than that.

His British Open defence is less than three weeks away and after a month out resting a groin strain he said: “It’s important to have more competitive rounds under my belt. I’m just not tournament sharp.

“I started nicely today, but a bogey took the wind out of my sails and I couldn’t give myself many chances after that. Conditions are getting harder and that’s a good thing. Give these guys soft conditions and not that strong a wind and they will score low. But I’ve been surprised just how low it’s been so far.”

Bourdy Singh's at Royal Portrush

It was wet, it was windy, but nothing was going to stop fans turning out in huge numbers to see Grégory Bourdy and Jeev Milkha Singh shine at the first Irish Open in Northern Ireland since 1953.

Rory McIlroy, Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell, the three Major Champions whose success helped to bring the event back across the border, were always going to have the biggest galleries lining the fairways.

But while none of them was able to break 70 Indian Singh and France's Bourdy were certainly not complaining about the number following them as they set the pace - either side of a 95-minute storm delay - with seven under par 65s.

"The atmosphere and the feel to the golf course is fantastic," said the 40 year old Singh. "When you have so many people cheering and watching you I think you feel great."

England's Mark Foster, part of a group on 66 with compatriot Andrew Marshall, Australian Matthew Zions, Swede Oscar Floren, Finn Mikko Ilonen and Frenchman Edouard Dubois, commented: "It was just amazing out there.

"I got a six o'clock car to the course and, I kid you not, there were people queueing to get in - even though the rain was coming sideways.

"I've never seen a buzz in the players' lounge like there is this week. People are raving about the course and the size of the crowds."

It is the first time organisers put the "sold out" signs up for a regular European Tour event, with 27,000 tickets purchased for each day's play.

First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy Martin McGuinness were also in attendance to witness the scenes.

McDowell was the first of the three local heroes into action, but hitting a pitch into bushes for a double bogey seven on the 581 yard 17th - his eighth - took the wind out of his sails and he had to settle for a one under 71.

Clarke, yet to make his first halfway cut of the year and out for the past month with a groin strain, contented himself with matching that after a hat-trick of bogeys had left him two over after eight.

World Number Two McIlroy, meanwhile, reached four under, but three-putted the 16th and 18th in what he called "a sloppy finish" and signed for a 70.

Before the tournament Clarke had presented Singh with a bottle of 21 year old Bushmills single malt whisky, but he is keeping that until he can share it with his father Milkha - the "Flying Sikh" who lost out on an Olympic 400 metres medal in a photo-finish in 1960 and about whom a film is currently being made.

Singh, whose own dream is to represent India on the sport's return to the Games in 2016, is a real lover of links golf.

Not that anybody who witnessed his first experience of it would have guessed that - as a 16 year old in 1988 he competed in the Amateur Championship at Royal Porthcawl in Wales, but had rounds of 87 and 84 there and at Pyle and Kenfig to miss out on the match play stages.

"I thought 'My God, this is tough'. I wasn't used to wearing raingear." He has got used to that now - and clearly improved.

Irishman Padraig Harrington, playing with McDowell and equally thrilled at seeing the tournament come north, pitched in from around 60 yards for birdie on his penultimate hole and with a 67 is firmly in the hunt.

Defending champion Simon Dyson, the third member of the group, matched that, while Ryder Cup Captain José María Olazábal and Scot Paul Lawrie - playing together for the third time in under two months - both shot 69.

Another former Open Champion, American John Daly, was in the first group out at 7.30am and returned a 71.

Asked if he was a good early riser he replied: "I am now. I get up when I used to get in!"

Much to everyone's relief, the event resumed in bright sunshine after the stoppage and the round was completed.

Bourdy did not finish until 8.40pm and would have been outright leader if he had birdied the long ninth, but he parred it.

“It was a lovely day, one of the best rounds I've played this year for sure,” he said. “It’s one of my best, maybe the best one I've ever played in my career on The European Tour. I played very solid. 

“It’s the first time I’ve played here this week and I love it. I played like this actually with Darren Clarke on Tuesday, so I think that helped me to play well today, because he gave me a lot advice. He was great with me. It was fantastic playing with the Open Champion, and a guy like him who plays every day on the course.”

Foster Credits Tutu Blessing for 66

Mark Foster started the Irish Open with a 66 at Royal Portrush after receiving a blessing from South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

Foster carded seven birdies to a single bogey and lies one shot off the clubhouse lead held by India's Jeev Milkha Singh.

"He (Tutu) was sat behind me on the flight over and I had my photograph taken with him," said the Worksop golfer, chasing only his second European Tour victory in more than 300 starts. "There were some others on the plane who were more excited about Ronan Keating being there, but I told him it was an honour to meet him."

He added: "You don't get a chance to meet someone like that very often and after shaking his hand he gave me God's blessing."

Perhaps just as important were some words from his wife Sophie before he headed for the airport.

"I had a massive negative not qualifying for The Open on Monday (he actually pulled out despite an opening 70 in the 36-hole event) and was really down," he said.

"But she told me I'd played well on Sunday in Germany, it's only Monday, so let's go again Tuesday. I did a good job of forgetting it and I'm really pleased with this.

"The beginning of the year was awful, I've progressively got better, but I've got to keep improving for what I'm after.

"It was just amazing out there. I got a six o'clock car to the course and, I kid you not, there were people queuing to get in - even though the rain was coming sideways.

"I've never seen a buzz in the players' lounge like there is this week. People are raving about the course and the size of the crowds."

Fast Start for Foster at Irish Open

England's Mark Foster birdied six of his first ten holes to burst into an early three stroke lead as Northern Ireland staged its first Irish Open since 1953.

Watched by a sell-out crowd which included First Minister Peter Robinson and his deputy Martin McGuinness, Foster reached the turn in a superb 31 and then two-putted the long tenth.

That put the 36 year old, with just one victory in over 300 European Tour events, six under par and two ahead of 19 year old Irish amateur Dermot McElroy, who followed an eagle on the long ninth with back-to-back birdies at the start of the inward half.

Compatriot Michael Hoey and South African Keith Horne started impressively on three under, but 2010 US Open Champion Graeme McDowell fell out of the group on minus two when he ran up a double bogey seven at the long 17th after misjudging the wind with his third shot.

McDowell admits to feeling immense pride at the staging of the event in his home town - he is a member of the adjoining Rathmore club - and Irishman Padraig Harrington, his playing partner for the first two rounds, has also spoken of how thrilled he is too at the return of the championship north of the border.

It follows a remarkable period for Ireland's golfers. Harrington won three Majors, then Rory McIlroy followed McDowell as US Open Champion and Darren Clarke, another Ulsterman, lifted The Open last July.

Harrington turned in two under after birdies at the tenth and 17th - the two back fives on the back nine - and both he and McDowell took a brief time out to shake hands with Robinson and McGuinness as they headed from the 18th green to the first tee.

The championship began in heavy rain, but much to the delight of players and fans alike the skies cleared, although dark clouds did not look far away.

McIlroy, Clarke and US PGA Champion Keegan Bradley - he has Irish roots - were among the later starters.

Ryder Cup Captain José María Olazáal was another on two under, while Scot Paul Lawrie, paired with the Spaniard for the third time in under two months, continued his bid to make a return to the European Team after 13 years by turning in one under.

His lead remained only two as Horne, four times a winner in his home country, birdied the 12th and 13th, while Harrington reached four under when he two-putted the long second and then almost aced the 174 yard next.

McDowell also birdied the second and a 15 foot putt at the difficult fourth got him back to two under, but Harrington could not make the green from the rough and bogeyed to slip back to three under.

At six under he was one ahead of Horne and Spaniard Carlos Del Moral, who turned in 32 and then birdied the 478 yard par five tenth.

Harrington, Olazábal and defending champion Simon Dyson were three under, McDowell two under and Lawrie one under alongside 1995 Open Champion John Daly and new Amateur champion Alan Dunbar, like McDowell from the nearby Rathmore club.

Dyson chipped in at the seventh, but his birdie was matched by an 18 footer from Harrington and so both moved into a tie for third on four under, two behind Foster and Horne, who two-putted the long 17th.

McIlroy Embraces Favourite Tag

Rory McIlroy has no problems with the home favourite tag at the Irish Open this week - in fact, he's embracing it.

While the Northern Irishman admits that he has struggled with the weight of expectations when playing in front of his own fans in the past, he's looking forward to the support at Royal Portrush now.

And what support there will be, with Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Irish Open selling out in advance for the first time in European Tour history.

"To be honest the last couple of years, I didn't really enjoy the tag of the home favourite," McIlroy told europeantour.com.

"I just didn't feel very comfortable with it - this year I really want to embrace that. You look at so many people and when they have got a home advantage, it is an advantage, and it should be not just me, but also for the other guys from here as well. It's something that you really have to embrace, and that's what I'm going to try and do this week.

"I think everyone has waited a long time for the Irish Open to come back up north and to have it played at one of the best golf courses in the world, Royal Portrush, is fantastic.

"The first ever European Tour event to sell out is something that's obviously got a lot of people very excited, and it's shaping up to be a great week.

Going to be fantastic

"It's going to be fantastic. Yesterday I played an early practice round and the people who came out to watch really created a great atmosphere. I'm looking forward to playing in front of all of them this week, and hopefully I can put on a good show.

"The golf course is in great shape - the rough's thick and greens are running well. Hopefully the weather cooperates a little bit, and it should be a great week of golf."

McIlroy's form has suffered a bit in recent months, but he feels close to getting back to where he needs to be.

"I've put ten days of really good work in," he added. "My game feels good. It actually felt pretty good at the US Open.

"I felt like it was starting to come around. In a way it couldn't be a better time to come back here and play Portrush. It brings back so many good memories, and you can feed off that, and that gives you some confidence."

Friday Sell Out at Royal Portrush

The success of this year’s Irish Open continued today with the news that the second day’s play on Friday June 29 at Royal Portrush Golf Club is now also a complete sell-out.

Last Thursday, The European Tour announced that Saturday June 30 and Sunday July 1 had officially sold out, the Tour, for the first time in its 40 year history, having to close tickets sales for a tournament with the 27,000 limit for each day reached.

But now, with three days to go to the start of the championship proper, tournament organisers have confirmed that Friday is now also in the same situation as expectation surrounding the first staging of the Irish Open in Northern Ireland since 1953 reaches fever pitch.

Spectators without tickets can still pay on the gate to watch the action in Tuesday’s first official practice day, Wednesday’s Pro-Am featuring stars from the worlds of showbusiness and sport and the first round play on Thursday, but after that, to gain entry to the action on the world-famous Dunluce Course, spectators need to be in possession of a valid ticket.

Spectators are also reminded that due to the close proximity of the start of the tournament on Thursday, there is no ability now to buy advance tickets from the Tour’s ticket website.

“When we announced, in January, that the Irish Open was coming to Royal Portrush we were told to expect a hugely positive reaction from golfing public but this has exceeded all our expectations and is fantastic news for the tournament. We are well on course for in excess of 100,000 spectators here over the week,” said Championship Director Antonia Beggs.

“We have planned for this and our traffic management is in place, however we remind spectators that it is vitally important to follow the official Automobile Association event signage to and from the tournament rather than rely on ‘SatNav technology’ as the signs will direct spectators to the best available car park at the time.

“We also ask spectators to remember that this is a major sporting occasion and to exercise patience in their journeys to and from the event.”

As outlined last week and since consultation began on the tournament six months ago, public transport will play a huge part in moving spectators in and out of Portrush.

• In addition to normal scheduled services, extra trains will run from Belfast and Derry–Londonderry to Portrush with tickets available to book online or purchase in advance from main train stations.

• Dedicated golf coach services will depart locations across Northern Ireland and are available to book online only. Ulsterbus Tours is also offering both travel and Irish Open ticket packages.

• Golf rail service online ticket bookings will close at 2pm three days prior to travel. However, additional rail tickets will also be available to purchase from selected stations on day of travel.

• Golf coach ticket bookings will close at 5pm on day prior to travel and are only available to purchase online

• Golf coach and train return services are £15 per adult and £7.50 per child. Ulsterbus Tours packages are £40 per person,” he added.

For travel information including bus and rail ticket bookings, click here or call the Translink contact centre on 00 44 (0) 28 9066 6630.

Dyson Ready for Dunluce Defense

Simon Dyson is relishing the chance to defend his Irish Open title at Royal Portrush Golf Club. 

Dyson played “the best golf of my career” when taking the title 12 months ago at Killarney Golf & Fishing Club, but the Englishman will have a very different challenge to contend with this week, when Harry Colt’s design hosts the €2million event for the first time since 1947.

The 34 year old feels very much at home on links courses, having won the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, the KLM Open twice at Kennemer Golf & Country Club and finished inside the top ten when Royal St George’s hosted The Open Championship last year.

Despite his dominant performance in Killarney last year, Dyson admitted to a twinge of excitement when he first discovered the 57th staging of Ireland’s National Open was moving north of the border to the Dunluce Links.

He said: “I love links golf – it just suits my eye. Killarney was a fantastic venue, and I loved playing there last year. But I’ve got to admit, there was a bit of a smile when I heard it was coming to a links course here.

“It’s what I grew up on. Playing amateur golf you play a lot of links golf, and I lived ten minutes down the road from Ganton Golf Club, one of the better links courses in Britain. So links is my favourite type of golf, by far. 

“When you stand on a tee box, you’ve got to visualise the shot. It’s not like on a 500-yard par four where you know you’ve got to hit it 320 yards off the tee – this is more about manoeuvring the ball, which is probably the best aspect of my game. 

“When I’m playing well, I can hit the high draw, the low draw, the high cut, the low cut, and I like to visualise every shot. A lot of the courses that we play now are 7,500 yards, which kind of takes that aspect out of the game. So it’s nice to get back to how golf was first played.”

Having fully recovered from a stressed pelvis which kept him on the sidelines for six weeks, Dyson is determined to get his season back on track and make a late bid for a Ryder Cup berth. 

After an encouraging performance at last week’s BMW International Open in Cologne, where he finished in a tie for 12th place, Dyson feels his form and fitness are slowly returning.

He said: “I made the cut in the US Open for the first time two weeks ago, which was pleasing. I had a decent weekend and moved up a little bit. Then I played some really good golf last week. I started to find my swing, and probably if I had been a little bit more match fit, I could have contended. But for my second week back, it was a pretty good performance, and hopefully I can build on it this week.”

Dyson will begin the defence of his crown in the company of Irish Major Champions Padraig Harrington and Graeme McDowell.

Irish Open Time Sheet

Simon Dyson will launch his defence of the Irish Open alongside local hero Graeme McDowell and three-time Major Champion Padraig Harrington when the first round gets underway at Royal Portrush Golf Club on Thursday.

Dyson, who claimed his fifth European Tour title at the 2011 Irish Open at Killarney Golf and Fishing Club 12 months ago, is looking to become the sixth man in the history of the tournament to record back-to-back victories in the event, and with it join a select club that includes golfing legends Sir Nick Faldo, Seve Ballesteros and Colin Montgomerie.

The Englishman takes to the Dunluce Links among the early starters at 7.50am on Thursday morning with 2010 US Open Champion McDowell, who was born just minutes away from Portrush Golf Club, and the ever-popular Irishman Padraig Harrington.

The two groups following the defending champion, meanwhile, will also retain local interest as Ballymoney-born Michael Hoey – already a winner this year at the Trophée Hassan II in Morocco – tees it up at 8am, before newly-crowned Amateur Champion Alan Dunbar, the latest in a long line of Northern Irish golfing stars, makes his second start in a professional event at 8.10am.

Also returning to his native land for the first Irish Open to be held in Northern Ireland for almost 60 years is current World Number Two Rory McIlroy, who tees off at 12.50pm alongside Branden Grace and tournament debutant and US PGA Champion Keegan Bradley. Grace has undoubtedly been one of the stories of the season so far, having already claimed three victories this year since gaining his European Tour card at the Qualifying School last December.

Open Champion Darren Clarke, who lives in the hills overlooking Portrush Golf Club, is drawn in the group preceding compatriot McIlroy at 12.40pm alongside Ryder Cup star Francesco Molinari and Spaniard Rafael Cabrera-Bello, while Gareth Maybin launches the triumvirate of Northern Irish stars in succession when he tees off at 12.30pm on Thursday.

Scotland’s George Murray will have the honour of hitting the first tee shot in the 57th edition of the Irish Open at 7.30am on Thursday morning, and with a parade of stars to follow it promises to be a thrilling week.

Irish Open draw

 

McDowell To Enjoy Home Event

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Graeme McDowell says he "expects to play well" in this week's Irish Open at his hometown course at Royal Portrush.

McDowell, who won the US Open at Pebble Beach in 2010, said: "There will be a bit of extra pressure and the event will have the feel of a major.

"To see the town I grew up in scrubbed up and ready for one of the biggest events on the European Tour makes me very proud.

"The golf course will be of major championship standard."

He added: "There will be plenty of expectation from the fans. The course is in fantastic condition and it's exciting to have it laid out and conditioned for a Tour event.

“To be one of the three or four guys who helped make this happen through our major successes also gives me a huge sense of pride”Graeme McDowell

"Royal Portrush is a golf club with a huge amount of history, given that the Open was been staged here in 1951.

"But in the modern era this is one of the proudest moments for this golf club, for the area and for Northern Ireland.

"It's a huge thrill to see such a great field assembled and everyone is buzzing and excited after all the hard work and preparation."

McDowell became the first of a trio of Northern Ireland major winners when he won at Pebble Beach, with Rory McIlroy and Darren Clarke following suit with wins in the US Open and Open Championship in 2011.

He added: "To be one of the three or four guys who helped make this happen through our major successes also gives me a huge sense of pride - it's great to have played a part and it's kind of a dream come true".

McDowell has been paired with defending champion Simon Dyson and Padraig Harrington for Thursday's opening round.

The trio will start at the 10th tee at 07:50 BST, while Clarke and McIlroy are among the afternoon starters.

Leading tee times for Irish Open round one on Thursday

10th hole

07:30 BST - John Daly, Peter Lawrie, Thomas Levet

07:40 - Nicolas Colsaerts, Jose Maria Olazabal, Paul Lawrie

07:50 - Graeme cDowell, Simon Dyson, Padraig Harrington

08:00 - Michael Hoey, Thongchai Jaidee, Gonzalo Fdez-Castano

1st hole

12:30 - Gareth Maybin, Thorblem Olesen, Darren Fichardt

12:40 - Francesco Molinari, Darren Clarke, Rafa Cabrera-Bello

12:50 - Rory McIlroy, Branden Grace, Keegan Bradley

13:10 - George Coetzee, Colin Montgomerie, Paul McGinley

Plenty of Water for 2012 Irish Open

Ballygowan Natural Mineral Water has today announced a new and exclusive three year agreement with The European Tour as the Official Water and Soft Drinks supplier to the Irish Open.

The sponsorship announcement comes as the prestigious event is set to return to Northern Ireland for the first time in nearly sixty years. The world class Royal Portrush Golf Club will host the 2012 Irish Open from June 28-July 1.

The agreement of the iconic Irish brand and leader in the Irish bottled water market with the Tour aims to capitalise on the unprecedented success and continued domination of home grown players on The European Tour including World Number Two Rory McIlroy, reigning Open Champion Darren Clarke, former US Open Champion Graeme McDowell and three-time Major winner Padraig Harrington.

Kevin Donnelly, Marketing Director Britvic Ireland said: “Ballygowan Natural Mineral Water is thrilled to be sponsoring the Irish Open. 

"We have a long and proud tradition of supporting sporting events across the island of Ireland and in this momentous year as the eyes of the world continue to focus on Northern Ireland’s world class players there has never been a better time to be associated with golf, the golfing world and this very special Championship." 

James Finnigan, Commercial Director of the Irish Open said; “We are delighted to continue our long established relationship with Ballygowan and look forward to join forces with them at Royal Portrush to ensure a highly successful return to Northern Ireland for the Irish Open”.

Winning Hoey Talks Irish Open

Michael Hoey, Northern Ireland’s latest champion on The European Tour, has urged golf fans to take advantage of this final week of the discounted ticket offer for the Irish Open at Royal Portrush Golf Club from June 28 to July 1.

The 33 year old from Ballymoney claimed his fourth European Tour title yesterday when a 17 under par total of 271 at Golf du Palais Royal in the Moroccan city of Agadir helped him to a three shot victory in the Trophée Hassan II.

The former British Amateur champion – who captured the Madeira Islands Open and the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship last season – acknowledged that this latest success for a golfer from Northern Ireland, adding to the recent Major Championship triumphs of Darren Clarke, Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy, can further increase the crowds already expected to witness the Irish Open’s first playing north of the border since 1953.

“The Irish Open is one of the biggest tournaments of the year and if we can get the same kinds of crowds as we had in Killarney it will be amazing,” said Hoey. “I’ve certainly had far too many ticket requests to cope with already and I’ve had to start turning people down – so my advice to them would be to get online and get their discounted tickets this week.

“Killarney last year was an unbelievable atmosphere with over 80,000 people there and I think there will be crowds like that at Portrush. You can feel the excitement for the event building back home and if we get those kinds of crowds then it will make the Irish Open feel like a Major.

“For me the Irish Open has always been like The Open, and now that it’s coming to Portrush it will be every bit as important at The Open this year. It’s an amazing course and with Rory, Graeme, Darren and myself there it will be a special week for Northern Ireland. 

“I keep getting asked why Northern Ireland has produced so many good players in recent times, it’s difficult to say exactly but I suppose there are a number of factors. The Golfing Union of Ireland does a great job; we have all had good levels of support and I think that the conditions you have to play in in Northern Ireland makes you have to be a better player. When you play tough courses in tough conditions you have to become even better to succeed. But obviously there is talent in there too!”

Tickets to see Northern Ireland’s galaxy of stars alongside the cream of European Tour golfing talent are available at a discounted rate until Saturday March 31. Among the offers available is an Adult Season ticket at £60 instead of the gate price of £80, a Concession Season ticket at £40 (instead of £60), an Adult Any One Day ticket at £25 (instead of £35) and an entrance ticket for the Pro-Am tournament on Wednesday June 27 for £5 (instead of £10).