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Rory McIlroy has expressed his delight at the official confirmation today that the 2014 Irish Open will return to Cork for the first time in 12 years.
The magnificent Fota Island Resort, which was recently purchased by Chinese investors The Kang Group Worldwide, will become an Official Sponsor as well as host venue of the Championship.
“I think it is great news that the Irish Open will be played at Fota Island,” said McIlroy who ended his 2013 season with victory in the Emirates Australian Open last month.
“The country’s National Open should be moved around to give everyone an opportunity to see the event, and it also gives us the chance to show the world just how many amazing courses there are in Ireland.
“Fota Island will be an exciting venue for the Irish Open, and exactly the kind of place to showcase what Ireland has to offer as a golf destination.”
The Irish Open was last played in Cork – the country’s most southerly county – in 2002 when Denmark’s Søren Hansen took the title at Fota Island. The Resort also hosted the Championship in 2001, when Colin Montgomerie won the last of his three Irish Opens.
The presence of The European Tour’s new generation of stars, led by Rory McIlroy, will deliver a significant boost to the region, and the World Number Six and double Major Champion is looking forward to the challenge of Fota Island’s Deerpark Course from June 19-22.
McIlroy’s views were heartily endorsed by other leading European Tour players, including Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley, who said: “I’m delighted that Fota Island is going to host the 2014 Irish Open. The players will love the golf course and everyone involved with the tournament will also enjoy the craic on offer in nearby Cork, Ireland’s second largest city.”
