Defending champion Paul Casey has appealed to companies to step up to the mark as title sponsors for next year’s Irish Open.

EVEN 2012 Irish Open champion Jamie Donaldson described his victory as “surreal” last night but such was the success of the tournament’s return to Royal Portrush, it would not have mattered if a polar bear had sunk the final putt.

AWARE the Irish Open would go ahead in 2011 without a title sponsor, the country’s leading players promised to do all they could to ensure the success of the championship.

Darren Clarke is in a three-stroke lead with seven to play at the Open Championship, and is playing with a smooth confidence that has Irish spectators pinning hopes on another Irish Major win.