The current champion and past Irish Open winners have applauded the European Tour’s decision to take the 2014 Irish Open back to Fota Island in Cork.

A wealthy Thai businessman with an impressive portfolio of Asian golf properties is one of the favourites to become the new owner of the prestigious Fota Island Resort in Cork, with a sale expected to go through this month.

Golf fans unable to get to Royal Portrush this week for the sold-out 2012 Irish Open will be able to see some of the game’s stars of the future in action next week when the 888poker.com PGA EuroPro Tour returns to Fota Island Resort.

FOTA ISLAND’S acclaimed Golfand Spa resort will be put on the open market by the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) “within weeks”.

FOTA ISLAND’S 27-hole golf complex is ready to host another Irish Open, says the Cork resort’s Director of Marketing Seamus Leahy.