Fota is picture perfect, says Lowry

The countdown officially commenced at Fota Island Resort yesterday as former champion Shane Lowry gave his seal of approval to the 2014 Irish Open venue.

Two-time European Tour winner Lowry, whose first title came as an amateur in the 2009 Irish Open at Baltray, got the official tournament launch underway at the East Cork course with just five weeks to go until the prestigious event and some of the sport’s biggest names roll into town.

With Lowry set to be joined by fellow Irishmen Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell, Pádraig Harrington and Darren Clarke, along with another Major winner, the big-hitting American John Daly, Irish Open championship director Antonia Beggs also revealed a further boost to the field.