Big names arrive for Irish Open

Published Monday, 25 June 2012
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The big names have started to arrive on the North Coast for the Irish Open, where tickets for the final three days of play have now completely sold out.

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PGA champion Keegan Bradley was greeted by Graeme McDowell outside the clubhouse at Royal Portrush late on Monday afternoon.

Another major champion, Padraig Harrington, took to the driving range to record a commercial for the European tour.

It comes as organisers reveal that tickets for all but Thursday's opening day have all been snapped up, with thousands of people expected to come and watch the competition.

Ballyclare golfer Gareth Maybin, who was also out practising on the links, said he's confident a local player can be crowned champion.

"I'd say we will get a Northern Irish winner, no doubt," he told UTV.

"We are expecting over 100,000 people which is phenomenal. I played at Wintworth this year which is our flagship event and I think they had 96,000 people and there was not a whole lot of room left so this should be a hell of an atmosphere around here."

Northern Ireland's own golfing heroes Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell and Darren Clarke will all be in action this week.

The new kid in town, new British amateur champion Alan Dunbar, is also in the mix.

"I do not think it has really sank in yet so I will just try and get through this week obviously and try and have a good week," said Dunbar, who also has the Open, Masters and US Open to look forward to within the next 12 months.

"It has been nice to add the Open obviously to the schedule so it means pulling out of the north here in a couple of weeks.

"I am happy enough to pull out and go and play in the Open. It is going to be special."

With only a handful of players taking to the course on Monday, it will be by far the quietest day of the week at Royal Portrush.

A turn out of up to 15,000 spectators is expected on Tuesday as the first official practice day is held ahead of the tournament proper.

© UTV News
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6 Comments
Catherine McEvoy in Ballynahinch wrote (353 days ago):
Congratulations to our three NI major champions Graeme Mac Dowell, Rory McElroy and Darren Clarke for securing this event within NI and for Royal Portrush Golf Club rising to the occasion. It has been a truely spectacular and memorable occasion - once again putting NI on the world map for all the right reasons: 1. beautiful scenery 2. genuine hospitality 3. organisational ability 4. challenging course It is regretable that well known European and American golfers did not avail of the opportunity to enter this Open. This saddened me somewhat when I saw names of former winners of Irish Opens e.g.Seve Ballisteros RIP, Nick Faldo and Ian Woosnam. All I can say it was their loss for not being part of a wonderful occasions. Thank you to all involved I do hope that this event will return to NI in the not to distant future. Catherine
Ady in the club-house wrote (356 days ago):
@ Dave... It does't exist Dave, get over it ! It is the G.U.I (golfing union of Ireland) and most members have absolutely no problem with that !
Seán in Newcastle wrote (356 days ago):
It's ok to host the IRISH Open here if the Unionists can beneift from it financially! What's great is all the guys coming over having learned bits of the Irish language, seeing a tricolor on the grounds of 'Royal' Portrush and all the tricolors on participant clothings, equipment...etc... Dave, it would be nice if you would allow these guys to express their identity how they see fit. Remember that bit of paper that was sifned in 1998? Something about freedom of expression of nationality?
dave in northern ireland uk wrote (357 days ago):
would be nice if mcilory and the rest of the northern irish players would refer to their home country by its proper title NORTHERN IRELAND.NORTHERN IRELAND does not seem to exist in golfing circles.
IrelandGal in Dublin wrote (357 days ago):
nice to see The queen of england over to ireland for the IRISH OPEN. Welcome to the North of Ireland Lizzie. Up for a game of Golf
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