Rory McIlroy lauds Irish support at the Irish Open and commits to play in the 2013 edition
The world number one Rory McIlroy has confirmed to participate in the Irish Open, slated to start from June 27, 2013. The tournament will be staged at Carton House in Co. Kildare, featuring some of the prominent names on the European Tour.
While making the announcement, the 23-year-old also paid his tribute to the Irish fans who made the tournament special for him. He said that he would love to add several Irish Open titles to his resume, in the time to come.
McIlroy enjoyed a stunning run of form during the 2012 golf season, having won five tournaments collectively on the European Tour and the PGA Tour.
Subsequently, he captured both the money list titles on the PGA Tour and the European Tour. He was then named as the PGA Player of the Year and the PGA Tour Player of the Year, while adding the Vardon Trophy and the Byron Nelson Award to his shelf.
Earlier this week, he capped his 2012 campaign by becoming the European Tour Golfer of the Year.
According to the golf commentators, his participation in the event will allow the tournament officials to attract more fans to come and watch their idols playing live on the course.
Talking to the European Tour’s official website, McIlroy said that he always likes to participate in his home event.
“The history of the Irish Open is very special too, with such a great list of champions from Nick Faldo to Seve (Ballesteros), Bernhard Langer, Sergio Garcia and Padraig Harrington. So many European greats have won that tournament and I think that’s what makes it so special,” he said.
He also said that the Irish support that he receives during the tournament week is another factor that attracts him to the €2 million event.
“The fans are incredible. Obviously the support I get back home is unbelievable but the support the Irish fans give in general is great. They are very knowledgeable and I think Portrush this year, with its record attendances, was just incredible, seeing so many people come out to watch us play,” said the reigning PGA champion.
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