34-year-old now beside an illustrious winners’ list

Justin Walters is the early leader of the 2014 Irish open which is underway at Fota Island Co Cork.

Rory McIlroy has never even seen Fota Island, let alone played it. But if the hard work of organisers is anything to go by, he and his fellow players will be wowed not only by the three championship golf courses set in beautiful parkland, but also by the structures in place to make this week’s Irish Open one of the best ever.

As 156 golfers and 100,000 fans prepare to descend on Fota Island Resort, Dave Kenny says staff are ready for the challenge

The countdown officially commenced at Fota Island Resort yesterday as former champion Shane Lowry gave his seal of approval to the 2014 Irish Open venue.

High winds and heavy rain may have plagued these shores of late but preparations for the 2014 Irish Open remain on schedule, says Fota Island Resort golf superintendent Con O’Driscoll.

Opera-loving rugby fans who enjoy a game of golf will find all their birthdays coming together in June when Il Divo play Musgrave Park in Cork, on the same weekend Fota Island golf resort hosts the 2014 Irish Open.

Double Major champion Rory McIlroy toasted Fota Island Resort’s success in landing the 2014 Irish Open as the Cork parkland course celebrated its return to the world golf stage for the first time in 12 years.

Golf’s European Tour will today confirm Fota Island resort in Cork as the home of the 2014 Irish Open.

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.

The date of the 2014 Irish Open has been confirmed but to be staged the same week as the British Amateur Championship at Royal Portrush.

“I’d love to be back here. I think it would be a great tournament on the O’Meara.