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Proud day for Clarke

Thursday, 12 January 2012

Darren Clarke, the current British Open champion and Royal Portrush member, Arlene Foster, Tourism Minister for Northern Ireland, and Royal Portrush captain Phillip Tweedie are all understandably happy with the news that the Irish Open is returning to the

BRITISH Open champion Darren Clarke has spoken of his pride in helping secure the Irish Open for Royal Portrush after an absence of more than 60 years. Clarke was a prime mover in helping persuade the European Tour to bring the event back north after two very successful years in Killarney.
And he has promised to do all he can to attract the world's top golfers to the tournament which tees off on the famed Dunluce Links on Thursday June 28.
“It's a huge day for golf in Ireland and I feel very proud today," Clarke told Friday's packed press conference at Royal Portrush.
“All of you know that Northern Ireland has had its share of troubles but it's a wonderful sign that we all got together to bring this tournament to Royal Portrush, one of the best courses in the world.
“It will be an unbelievable week and the reaction already has been crazy. Because of its reputation everyone wants to play here and there's not many finer tests of golf than Royal Portrush.
“Thanks for making it possible. It means a lot to the professionals to have a premier tournament on a premier course and hopefully it will be the best Irish Open so far.
“I believe the big names will support the event, though I may have to ask for a few favours!" he added.
Clarke is sure to be joined by Ireland's three other major winners - Padraig Harrington, Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy - in a tournament which will boast a minimum prize fund of 2m Euros thanks to funding from both sides of the border, a figure which may yet rise if a commercial sponsor comes on board.
World number two Lee Westwood is also expected to play as are a host of top European Tour members, including a number of major winners.
However, Tiger Woods is unlikely to feature as he is due to host a tournament on the other side of the Atlantic around the same date.
Nevertheless, the Irish Open promises to be one of the major sporting events of this or any other summer and in some quarters is being seen as a possible prelude to the British Open itself making a return to the province.

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