Pádraig: Irish Open a hit with Rory in the House

PÁDRAIG Harrington believes the commitment of world number one Rory McIlroy in next year’s Irish Open is another huge step towards putting the event back on the global golfing map.

Wearing his hat as Irish golf’s top tourism ambassador, the Dubliner is convinced the hottest player on the planet will build on this year’s record-breaking staging at Royal Portrush and make Ireland the epicentre of world golf when the event returns to the Montgomerie course at Carton House from June 27-30.

“We were a top Premier League team for some time but we intend to get back up there,” Harrington said when asked about the Irish Open’s mid-table standing in terms of European Tour prize funds.