Irish Open dependent on the players?
The Irish Open is one golfing event that always finds itself amidst financial crisis. This year again tragedy struck the Irish Open as its main sponsor, ‘3’ Mobile, ended their contract with the tournament. Despite the rumours, it was announced that the event will definitely take place in Killarney next year. Part of the European Tour 2011, this event is dear to many players. However, if no title sponsor is found until the next six months, there is a possibility the prize money of the event will be cut down to €1.5m. The prize money in 2010 for the Irish Open was €3m.
A decrease in the purse of the tournament in bound to make it less appealing to the players as well as the general public. However, with amazing Irish players such as Graeme McDowell, Padraig Harrington and Rory McIlroy taking part in the open, the open might still retain its charm.
Paul McGinley, who is also an Irish professional golfer, thinks that the future of the Irish Open cannot be secured by financial help from the leading players. He thinks that the only thing these leading golfers can do it is give their time to the tournament. He mentioned that at a meeting of the players’ committee it was brought to attention that the players should do whatever is required to promote tournaments, keeping in mind the general benefit of the sponsors rather than the general public.
What Paul had in mind is something that does happen in the US based PGA Tour. In the PGA, a leading player is excused from having to play in a pro-am tournament if he has attended the sponsor’s dinner. This trend, if practiced for the Irish Open, could bring good news if amazing personalities like McIlroy or McDowell are there for the dinners.
Graeme McDowell, who won the US Open this year, is one of the hottest golfers this year. McDowell, who recently defeated the fourteen time major winner Tiger Woods in his own tournament, is really in favour of the Irish Open.
"I know for a fact that, if asked, Graeme would happily do something of this nature to help the Irish Open," said McDowell's manager Conor Ridge. "He has told me he's prepared to give of his time, energy and ideas. And that's not a soundbite: he means it."
With so many strong names attached to Irish golf and consequently the Irish Open, it appears as if the tournament will be saved after all.
Tags: