Open winners give Fota thumbs up

The current champion and past Irish Open winners have applauded the European Tour’s decision to take the 2014 Irish Open back to Fota Island in Cork.

The Tour will rubber stamp confirmation of the venue next Monday for the event to be staged from June 19-22. While Fota Island hosted the 2001 and 2002 Irish Opens, the parkland gem has been without a major event since staging the 2007 Seniors Irish Open. Reigning Irish Open winner England’s Paul Casey is looking forward to the event due to his affinity with Cork.

“I want to say the name Casey is a southern Irish name, and I want to say also it is from the Cork area so hopefully I will get a lot of followers despite an overwhelming interest, of course, in Irish players,” he smiled.