Bradley back to roots for Irish Open

Next month’s Irish Open has received another major boost with the confirmation that US PGA champion Keegan Bradley will be in the field at Royal Portrush Golf Club.

The 25-year-old American, whose grandparents were from Cork, will play his first professional tournament in Europe when the European Tour touches down on the Antrim coast from June 28-July 1. He will join homegrown major champions Rory McIlroy, Darren Clarke, Graeme McDowell and Padraig Harrington in what is shaping up to be a stellar field for the return of the Irish Open to the north for the first time since 1953.

Italian brothers Edoardo and Francesco Molinari have also committed to the tournament, won last year by England’s Simon Dyson at Killarney Golf & Fishing Club, meaning half of the victorious 2010 European Ryder Cup team has confirmed their participation in the €2m event.