McGinley a passionate supporter of Irish Open

EUROPEAN Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley last night came out strongly in favour of the current status of the Irish Open Championship even though it is still without a title sponsor and its prize fund at Fota Island this week is €2 million, well below what the European Tour and quite a number of leading players would like it to be.

While there is a very strong field, most of the big name US-based golfers have stayed away, which remains an ongoing disappointment for all associated with the championship.

James Finnigan, the commercial director, said in yesterday’s Irish Examiner that “Ireland Inc. needs to get more behind its national open. I am very surprised we have failed to get a title sponsor.”