The Irish Open is the only European tour event played in Ireland – though that will changes in the relatively near future when the British Open is staged at Royal Portrush sometime before 2021.

The Irish Open is a massively popular event and attracts huge galleries from all over the country, hardly surprising in a golf mad county like Ireland. It’s popular with golfers too, with all the Irish pros taking part and a good contingent from the USA joining their European colleagues.

Of course local man Rory McIlroy, playing a course he has played probably hundreds of times before, is the big attraction. His participation has attracted a top quality field, with Ernie Els, Sergio Garcia, Rickie Fowler and Lee Westwood joining Irish heroes Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell.