Harrington backs Killarney as Irish crank up Open efforts

DUBAI’S construction boom might be in reverse gear but efforts to build on the Irish Open foundations laid down by defunct sponsors 3 are moving ahead apace, according to three-time major winner Pádraig Harrington.

True to his word, the European Tour’s chief executive George O’Grady has been keeping the Irish players abreast of his efforts to find a new backer and make sure that two years spent rebuilding the event have not been for nothing.

Harrington was frustrated to “do the superfluous things very well and the important things very poorly” as he opened with a two-over 74 in the Dubai World Championship. But he is greatly encouraged that the tour is committed to making the Irish Open happen next July.