Irish stars seeking summer date as weather proves a dampener

Another year, another Irish Open and the debates continue as to the best venue and time of year to play one of the most popular tournaments on the European Tour.

Four of Irish golf’s biggest names weighed in yesterday as the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, presented by The Rory Foundation, received the seal of approval from home and overseas players alike.

That was in spite of the final round being played out in the teeth of the strongest winds of the week, with gusts of more than 40 miles per hour, and the afternoon’s play was hit by a couple of short sharp downpours that failed to dampen the spirits of another big crowd of 24,865 at Royal County Down.