Fota confirmed to host Irish Open

This year's Irish Open will be staged at the Fota Island Resort in Cork, it was confirmed today.

After months of speculation, the European Tour has announced that the tournament will return to the resort, which last staged the event in 2002.

The course was purchased by Chinese investment group The Kang Group Worldwide just last year and they have agreed to act as an Official Sponsor as well as tournament hosts.

Irish Open heading to @fotaisland this summer... http://t.co/JGCdMcghzA

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 13, 2014

Cork's City and County Councils will provide financial support for the tournament through their Economic Development Funds, while the European Tour has secured further backing from the private sector after construction firm BAM Contractors also agreed to act as official sponsor.

This year's Irish Open will take place from June 19-22.