Tour has plan B for Irish Open

EUROPEAN TOUR chief George O’Grady insists he has a plan up his sleeve that could ensure the survival of the beleaguered Irish Open.

As the search goes on for a new title sponsor, O’Grady revealed he will sit down and explain his strategy to several Irish players during this week’s Dubai World Championship. The decision by ‘3’ to opt out of its sponsorship of the event has forced the Tour to delay its announcement of the 2011 schedule until next week at the earliest. The Irish Open is set for July 28-31 — the same week as this year’s staging at Killarney Golf and Fishing Club.

But making that happen may require the Tour and Fáilte Ireland to foot the bill if a new sponsor cannot be found.

O’Grady said: “I have a strategy which I think will work and I am talking to various people. I am sitting down with Irish players this week and letting them in on my plan — in the absence of anything else.”

Asked if he was positive about the future of the event, the European Tour chief executive preferred the term “realistic” when asked about his efforts to secure the necessary financial backing for the event during the current economic crisis.

“I am realistic about the future of the Irish Open.

“What do I mean by realistic?Realistic means that together with the Minister Mary Hanafin, we are going to work together. We would be reluctant to see an Irish Open (disappear) .... even with all the problems the country has.”

Thanks to profits from the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor, the tour has the funds to keep the Irish Open afloat with additional help from Fáilte Ireland, which provided €1m of the €3m prize fund on offer in Killarney this year.

“People put a good effort into Killarney to make the Irish Open so good last year,” O’Grady added.

“It had a good, warm feel over the bank holiday weekend with a festival atmosphere and it was really good for Irish tourism.”