GUI Name Fota Island Four

Four top amateurs get Irish Open invite with two former Irish Amateur Open champions included in the Golf Union of Ireland's [GUI] four man selection for the Irish Open at Fota Island on June 19th. 

Robbie Cannon (Balbriggan) and Gavin Moynihan (The Island) are joined by Gary Hurley (West Waterford) and Dermot McElroy (Ballymena).

The four amateurs are included in a field alongside Major champions and Irish favourites Rory McIlroy, Padraig Harrington, Graeme McDowell and Darren Clarke and European Ryder Cup captain, Paul McGinley

The 2009 winner Shane Lowry, who won in enthralling circumstances as an amateur at Baltray, is also included in the field.

Antonia Beggs, Championship Director said “The amateur game in Ireland has always been vibrant, thanks mainly to the commitment and endeavours of the Golfing Union of Ireland.

“We are delighted to welcome Robbie, Gavin, Gary and Dermot to join a world class field of professionals at Fota Island Resort. The experience they get from playing in the Irish Open will be invaluable as they progress in the game of golf.”

Albert Lee, Honorary Secretary of the GUI said: “Playing in the Irish Open is an important step in the development of these players and we acknowledge the support of the European Tour in allowing us nominate four amateurs to compete in what will be a fantastic display of golf at Fota Island.”

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McIlroy Golfer of the Month

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Rory McIlroy has been named The Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Month for May following his glorious victory in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club. 

The Northern Irishman came from seven shots back going into the final round to triumph by one stroke from Shane Lowry in The European Tour’s flagship event, rubber-stamping a truly stellar month for European Tour Members around the world. 

McIlroy, who receives an engraved alms dish and a Jeroboam of Moët & Chandon champagne, closed with a magnificent round of 66 over the famous West course, moving to second place in The 2014 Race to Dubai after claiming his first professional victory on European soil and sixth European Tour title in total.

The 25 year old said: “Winning The European Tour’s flagship event at Wentworth was something very special. My first victory on European soil is a really important and welcome addition to my career titles to date.

“The European Tour has always been good to me, and this win really cements the great relationship we enjoy. To have won the BMW PGA Championship, and with it the Golfer of the Month award, is the coming together of some really good, recent form. Hopefully the win will be the start of a big season’s golf for me.”

The European Tour Golfer of the Month Panel, comprising members of the Association of Golf Writers as well as commentators from television and radio, focused their attention on winning and exceptional performances in The Race to Dubai on The European Tour International Schedule where Chile’s Felipe Aguilar (The Championship at Laguna National), England’s Daniel Brooks (Madeira Islands Open – Portugal – BPI) and Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee (Nordea Masters) were all champions, in addition to Miguel Angel Jiménez extending his record as the oldest European Tour winner with a play-off success in the Open de España at the age of 50 years and 133 days.

Consideration was also given to performances worldwide, with Martin Kaymer, who holed the putt that won Europe The 2012 Ryder Cup, returning to top form with his win in The Players Championship on the US PGA Tour, while Colin Montgomerie collected his first Senior Major Championship with a four shot win ahead of United States Ryder Cup captain Tom Watson in the US Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid, in which Germany’s Bernhard Langer finished tied third following his Insperity Invitational triumph.

James Haddock, Golf Reporter for Sky Sports News, said: “Rory stepped up his game as the week progressed at Wentworth to claim the prestigious BMW PGA Championship title. This was a week when Rory displayed the human side, his ability to face the media and not shy away from things, and, more importantly, despite everything going on around him, his ability to get out onto the golf course and get the job done. This was all we love about Rory and his game.

“Notable mention, however, must go to Miguel Angel Jiménez and Colin Montgomerie for two outstanding performances. Miguel broke his own record as oldest winner on The European Tour on which he continues to entertain us and is such a joy to watch. And it was also a pleasure to watch Monty end his hoodoo in America with a victory and a senior Major title – rolling back the years with four imperious rounds in which he was almost faultless from tee to green.”

Derek Lawrenson, Golf Correspondent of the Daily Mail and Chairman of the Association of Golf Writers, said: “This was surely one of the hardest months to judge in the history of this award, with so many worthy candidates. It seems almost perverse not to give it to the ageless Miguel Ángel Jiménez, following his record-breaking victory in his native Spanish Open, or Colin Montgomerie for winning a senior major championship after all his heartbreaking near misses in the regular ones. Or Martin Kaymer for his brilliant victory in The Players Championship, or Thongchai Jaidee for holding off golfers of the calibre of Victor Dubuisson and Stephen Gallacher to win a play-off for the Nordea Masters in Sweden. 

"Ultimately, though, it’s impossible to ignore Rory McIlroy winning the BMW PGA Championship. It is, after all, The European Tour’s flagship event, boasting such a class field, and the thrilling manner of the Northern Irishman’s victory just topped everything off nicely, as he came from seven shots behind on the final day to triumph.” 

Miguel Angel Jiménez (December), Scotland’s Stephen Gallacher (January), France’s Victor Dubuisson (February), Welshman Jamie Donaldson (March), France’s Alexander Levy (April) and McIlroy will all be considered, along with the next six monthly winners, for The 2014 European Tour Golfer of the Year Award which was won in 2013 by Sweden’s Henrik Stenson following his DP World Tour Championship, Dubai victory which secured the Number One spot in The 2013 Race to Dubai.

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Mercy Hospital Named Irish Open Charity

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The European Tour has announced that the Mercy Hospital Foundation in Cork has been named as Official Charity to the 2014 Irish Open to be played at Fota Island Resort in Co. Cork from June 19-22.

The Foundation was selected from a shortlist of local charities by the Trustees of the Tour Players Foundation (TPF), The European Tour’s charitable arm, who look to support charities in regions which host European Tour events, with a specific focus on children and young people.

A range of charitable initiatives at this year’s Irish Open will help raise substantial funds for the Mercy Hospital’s Kids and Teens Appeal, which was launched earlier this year with the target of raising €100,000 to benefit the Foundation’s paediatric services.

The initiatives, which will be confirmed in due course by The European Tour, will offer the opportunity for all involved in the Irish Open, whether a spectator or sponsor or player, to contribute to the Mercy Kids and Teens Appeal, leaving a lasting legacy for the return of the Irish Open to Cork.

Micheál Sheridan, CEO, The Mercy Hospital Foundation, said: “Our mission is to support the Hospital in delivering the highest quality of patient care by raising funds to support advancements and innovation in the treatment and care of patients at the Mercy Hospital, the People’s Hospital. 

“We promise to do our very best to provide you with a world class hospital, right on your doorstep, and this is only possible through the help of our supporters and donors, and charity partnerships like this one with the Irish Open.”

Shane Lowry, who finished runner-up to Rory McIlroy in last week’s BMW PGA Championship, was in Cork recently and congratulated the Mercy Hospital Foundation on becoming the Irish Open Official Charity.

After meeting the charity representatives at Fota Island Resort following a practice round ahead of the Irish Open, Lowry said: “My girlfriend works as a children’s nurse so I can appreciate the efforts which go into making the youngsters’ lives better. As Official Charity of the Irish Open, the Mercy Kids and Teens Appeal should benefit greatly from this association with the game of golf.”

Mark Roe, former European Tour player and Chairman of the Tour Players Foundation, commented: “The Mercy Hospital Foundation’s work with young children in the Cork area made a strong impression on the Trustees and we are delighted to work with them in the weeks before and during the Irish Open to assist their fundraising for the Kids and Teens Appeal.”

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The Mercy Kids and Teens Appeal, launched earlier this year by The Mercy Hospital Foundation, aims to raise €100,000 to benefit crucial areas of The Mercy Hospital’s paediatric services including redevelopment of the Children’s Leukaemia Unit at a cost of €10,000. This will include redeveloping the family room, treatment room, play facilities and overnight facilities for parents.

Funding for the POONS service - €54,000 for three years. A mobile nursing service that administers treatment to children and young people undergoing cancer treatment in the child’s own home. The service covers a large geographical area throughout the county as well as other surrounding counties.

Bereavement Counselling and Support for Children and Support for Education - €36,000. Many children are affected by the death of a parent or sibling and require Bereavement Counselling and other support services. For many other children and young people with long term illnesses their education can be affected and the Mercy Hospital Foundation provides support through the hospital Social Work Department to enable many of these children to continue their education following their illness.

www.mercyfundraising.ie 

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Rory Suffers Double Ohio Trouble

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Rory McIlroy ended his second day in Dublin, Ohio, signing for a round of 78 at The Memorial Tournament after three consecutive double bogeys by the turn unraveled the advantage of his round of 63 on Thursday.

The BMW PGA Champions feel to earth somewhat having held a three-shot lead over Paul Casey,Bubba Watson and Chris Kirk at the start if the second round.

After starting on the back nine, McIlroy bogeyed the 10th round before parring 11 and picking the shot back up on 12. However then came off as double-bogeys followed on 13, 14 and 15 before two pars and a further bogey saw him reach the turn in 43, now four shots off the lead - a 12-shot swing.

Yesterday over the same stretch Rory picked up two eagles, three birdies and a double bogey to record a 31.

The run for home McIlroy completed in 35 strokes with just one dropped shot at the par 5 fifth hole to end the day 6 strokes over par. A total of 15 shots off his pace on Thursday but at -3 overall still only five off current leaders

Camilo Villegas was the big winner in the early stages, moving into a share of the lead with six birdies and a bogey in his first 14 holes.

Robert Garrigus was also surging up the leaderboard and he sat one shot off the lead with a flawless five birdies through 15.

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McIlroy Takes Charge in Dublin

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Rory McIlroy picked up seven birdies and two eagles to storm to the top of the leaderboard on the first day of Jack Nicklaus' Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio.

But the Northern Irishman, who won the BMW PGA Championship on Sunday, might have been five strokes clear of the field had he not spoiled his remarkable run over the back nine with a double bogey on the par four 14th hole.

He rallied to card an impressive nine under 63, while England's Paul Casey shot a six under 66 earlier on Thursday to take a share of second place with Americans Bubba Watson and Chris Kirk.

McIlroy continued his winning momentum from Wentworth Club to Muirfield Village.

Birdies on the second, fourth and seventh holes followed a run of two birdies and an eagle over the turn before he picked up a sixth shot on 13.

At eight under he was two strokes clear of the three men who had already carded 66, but briefly joined Casey and the American duo in a tie for the lead after finding the rear bunker on 14 and needing a total of six shots to hole out.

McIlroy remedied that situation immediately by draining a 15 foot putt to claim his second eagle of the day before adding one final birdie on the 16th.

Casey started with a bogey but reached the turn four under having drained an eagle on the par five seventh.

He mixed three more birdies with a bogey between 14 and 17 while Kirk's seven birdies and a bogey kept him in sight of the lead.

Reigning Masters Tournament champion Watson might well have finished on eight under but dropped shots on 16 and 17.

With Adam Scott recently rising to the World No. 1 ranking, all eyes are on the Aussie to see if he can cement his position well into the 2014 season.

However the prominent victory of a young Northern Irishman last week sent a warning that there may be a new contender on the block, aside from Scott, World No. 2 Henrik Stenson and the injured Tiger Woods.

This week Rory McIlroy jumped up into the World No. 6 position and the move also sparked speculation that he and Scott may be the next Woods / Mickelson style rivalry.

Certainly, Rory hasn’t held back heading into this week’s The Memorial tournament. After Round 1 McIlroy has a two shot lead over the field, a 9-under 63 a clear indication that his game is as strong as it has ever been.

Scott’s opening round was solid but certainly not as showy; a 3-under 69 placing him in the top 15.

The Queenslander is the first Australian to reach World No. 1 since Greg Norman relinquished the position in January 1998, the importance of the achievement not lost of the Aussie.

The Memorial tournament continues over the weekend with McIlroy and Scott partnering Aussie Jason Day for the opening two rounds.

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