Open winners give Fota thumbs up
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.
“But then it’s a great decision as I played both Irish Opens down there and when Freddie Jacobsen had a hole-in-one we all got free Murphy’s as they were the sponsor. It was also really hot year and everyone was eating ice creams so it should be good fun. I don’t know whether the course suits me as I can’t remember much about the layout only the last is downhill and I think Seve took an 11 there in 2002.”
Naturally, Padraig Harrington is also supportive of the move having won the 2007 Irish Open at Adare Manor and just weeks before his British Open triumph while he has fond memories of capturing the 1995 Irish Strokeplay title at Fota Island.
“I got the heads up from the Tour. It’s not going to be announced until Monday but then news of Fota Island is all over the place,” said Harrington.
“It’s a great venue. It really is. It’s an all-inclusive place, and just a good venue for the Irish Open.”
Darren Clarke confirmed he will play but remembers Fota Island for contrasting reasons.
“The two Irish Opens at Fota Island were really successful and especially there at 18 with water all around the hole, and the course will have matured a lot since we were there the last time,” he said.
“But then it was the only time in my career I was warned for slow play. I have to say also it was not really me who was the problem.”
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