Excitement builds as Killarney waits to welcome boy wonder

TWENTY years ago, PJ Carroll, the then sponsors of the tournament, invested a considerable sum of money in attracting Payne Stewart to compete in the Irish Open Championship at Killarney.

The popular American — who sadly died in a freak air accident in 1999 — had won the US Open at Hazeltine the previous week and at the time commanded a hefty appearance fee.

However, an indication of how times have changed for the better for Irish golf comes with the presence in the 2011 field of the immediate past and current reigning US Open champions — and they’re not costing the organisers an extra cent.

Graeme McDowell graced the championship 12 months ago after his famous victory at Pebble Beach. On July 28-31 next, the newly crowned champion of the United States, Rory McIlroy, will also tee it up over the superb lakeside Killeen course at Killarney.

His involvement alone ensures the success of a tournament that has had to surmount several difficult financial challenges since the surprise withdrawal of 3 as title sponsors late last year.

No replacement has been forthcoming so this year’s event is dependant on the support of the Irish government, through a million euro injection from Fáilte Ireland, along with cash from the European Tour’s reserve fund and a few subsidiary sponsors. In providing this essential support, both Fáilte Ireland and the Tour recognised the massive importance of maintaining the status of the Irish Open where their respective interests were concerned.

No prize fund has yet been officially announced but the indications are that it will amount to €2.5m, a figure €500,000 short of last year’s purse, but commensurate with or greater than most on the current schedule.

This is another major boost for the championship for which such handsome prize money coupled with invaluable world ranking and Race to Dubai European Tour order of merit points on offer, will ensure a high quality field. Apart from McIlroy and McDowell, the leading Irish players, Pádraig Harrington, Darren Clarke, Paul McGinley and the others have all indicated their intention to take part.

England’s Ross Fisher will be back to defend a title he won by two strokes from Harrington in a thrilling finish last year. The event proved such a success that several of the other leading players who stayed away then will be in this year’s field. Obviously, though, McIlroy will be the star attraction after his fantastic exploits at Congressional and they are already planning a huge welcome for him in Killarney.

“We have been keenly looking forward all along to this year’s championship but the buzz around the place is all the greater now after what Rory has done in the States”, said the club’s general manager Maurice O’Meara last night.

“He promises to be the greatest attraction of all and we can’t wait for the big week to dawn. Both here at the club and throughout the town in general, everything has been going according to plan and excitement levels are higher than ever.”

McIlroy finished in a share of 35th last year. After starting with rounds of 67 and 68, he could do no better than 76 and 71 over the weekend for a 282 total, 16 shots adrift of Fisher.