Killarney welcome awaits new champ

THERE will be a welcome addition to the Irish Open line-up at Killarney next month when the US Open trophy makes an appearance alongside its owner Rory McIlroy.

McIlroy made the pledge at Congressional Country Club on Sunday night in the wake of his momentous eight-stroke US Open victory over Australia’s Jason Day when he was asked if the trophy would be making its way south for the July 28-31 European Tour event in Killarney.

“Yes, definitely,” came the reply.

McIlroy will have plenty of demands on his time now he has made the breakthrough as a major champion and his victory in America was followed very quickly by his withdrawal from next week’s French Open as the 22-year-old focuses on trying to win back-to-back majors at The Open at Royal St George’s in mid-July, two weeks before the Irish Open.

“It is because what is going to be going on over the next couple of weeks,” McIlroy explained of his withdrawal.

“I want to give the tournament (the French Open) my best shot but with what is likely to happen over the next couple of weeks (the demands) won’t allow me to do that. So I will take three weeks off and get myself ready for The Open at Royal St Georges.”

McIlroy’s manager, Andrew ‘Chubby’ Chandler, confirmed the withdrawal, saying: “It’s unfortunate and we’ll have to promise we’ll play it next year. It’s not fair to pull out this late but if he wants to win The Open, which he’ll want to, he needs a rest.”

Long term, McIlroy’s future remains on the European Tour, although the new US Open champion will increase his appearances on the PGA Tour.

Taking membership of that tour, though, was not on the horizon as the International Sports Management founder said the minimum requirement of 15 events per season was too much for the golfer to commit to. Asked if McIlroy would take PGA Tour membership, Chandler cited the FedEx Cup play-off tournaments in August and September as the biggest obstacle to both the Irishman and fellow ISM golfer Lee Westwood, spending more time Stateside.

“No. Did I say that quickly enough? He’ll play more but I don’t think he’ll play 15, I think that’s too difficult.

“And if they relax the rule he might get up to 12 or 13 but he will not play 15. I had a meeting with the Tour this week and said both of the guys (McIlroy and Westwood) would probably join if they didn’t have to play the FedEx. It’s the FedEx that kills it... they’ll sort it out. I hate to say it but they probably need him more than...”

Asked to clarify that, he said: “There will be other options to play if he can’t play here. I don’t think he’ll struggle to get somewhere to go and play.”