Rory McIlroy hooks another three big ones but chasing Phil Mickelson

Rory McIlroy might have added Ryder Cup stars Martin Kaymer, Luke Donald and Patrick Reed to a stellar field but the world No 1 is chasing an even bigger name for next month’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open — Phil Mickelson.

While Tiger Woods’ agent confirmed during the Masters that the 14-time major winner is unavailable for the May 28-31 test at storied Royal County Down, sources close to the organisation of this year’s extravaganza insisted yesterday that McIlroy has not given up hope of adding left-hander Mickelson to what is already a star-studded field.

“People always talk about the glory days of the Irish Open,” Championship Director Antonia Beggs said at the Newcastle venue yesterday. “But I don’t think the glory days of the Irish Open are in the past any more. I think they are very much in the present.”