Host Rory aiming to lure US stars to Irish Open

Rory McIlroy hopes his decision to host the Irish Open at Royal County Down next year will help restore the event to its former glory.

The 2015 “Irish Open Hosted by The Rory Foundation” will be held from May 28-31 and McIlroy (pictured) believes he can help attract a title sponsor and some big name players, with 2007 Walker Cup players Rickie Fowler and Billy Horschel possibly set for a return to the Newcastle course.

“We are really excited about it,” McIlroy said at Gleneagles. “I am going to host the Irish Open next year and hopefully for the years to come, obviously. It is hosted by me and my charitable foundation, so there is going to be a big charity element to it. We are just trying to restore the Irish Open to what it once was. It has struggled the last few years trying to get a title sponsor and trying to get a good field on good golf courses.