Rory hails decision to bring Irish Open back to Fota

Double Major champion Rory McIlroy toasted Fota Island Resort’s success in landing the 2014 Irish Open as the Cork parkland course celebrated its return to the world golf stage for the first time in 12 years.

The European Tour yesterday confirmed the resort’s testing Deerpark Course would succeed Carton House as the host of one of its most popular tournaments, with continued financial support in the absence of a title sponsor being provided by Fáilte Ireland and Fota’s new owners, China’s Kang Group Worldwide, and BAM Contractors, both of whom will become official sponsors when the Irish Open returns from June 19-22.

It is the first time the Open will be staged at the resort since 2002.

With his participation confirmed, world No 6 McIlroy, who ended a difficult 2013 by winning the Australian Open last month, hailed the decision to keep rotating the tournament around the island’s top courses.

“I think it is great news that the Irish Open will be played at Fota Island,” McIlroy said. “The country’s national Open should be moved around to give everyone an opportunity to see the event, and it also gives us the chance to show the world just how many amazing courses there are in Ireland. Fota Island will be an exciting venue for the Irish Open, and exactly the kind of place to showcase what Ireland has to offer as a golf destination.”

Golf is a much-changed landscape since Fota Island last staged the Irish Open, when Colin Montgomerie won the tournament for a third time in 2001, followed in 2002 by Denmark’s Soren Hansen, and the Deerpark course will see its par-five holes lengthened with the aim of providing a meaningful test for today’s longer-hitting Tour pros.

“Since the last two occasions Fota Island Resort hosted the Irish Open... so many significant investments and developments have taken place at the resort itself and with our golf courses and facilities,” chief executive Jonathan Woods said. “We are delighted to have the opportunity to reintroduce the players, the public and the world’s media to Fota Island Resort, and to what is now a world-class, international golf venue.”

The announcement is also a boost for the local economy, with estimates suggesting a €65m injection into the area from the event, which is expected to attract more than 120,000 spectators, drawn by the expected participation of Ireland’s other Major champions Graeme McDowell, Pádraig Harrington and Darren Clarke.