New sponsor considers Irish Open

GOLF:KILLARNEY again ticked all the boxes in its staging of the Irish Open, but the PGA European Tour is expected to take some breathing space, which will include more discussions with potential title sponsors, before deciding on where to stage next year's tournament.

A record 85,170 spectators attended the tournament, supported by Discover Ireland, over the four days and was worth an estimated €30 million to the local economy.

Maurice O’Meara, the general manager of Killarney Golf Fishing Club, has said he would be “confident” of attracting the event back for a third successive year.

“I think we’ve proved ourselves again,” he said. “We took the bull by the horns when we pushed for it in 2009 for 2010. We said we’d do X, Y and Z that year and we did it. We said we’d do X, Y and Z and more this year and we did it.”

It is believed Zurich International, who had representatives at the Irish Open last week with a view to taking on the event’s title sponsorship, have asked for some time to consider their options. This is viewed as customary practice in the industry.

George O’Grady, chief executive of the PGA European Tour, described the event in Killarney as a “tremendously successful tournament”, and there were ringing endorsements from most players, including winner Simon Dyson, who described the crowds as reminding him of those at the British Open.

“I think we have a potential sponsor hopefully waiting in the wings and, if not, hopefully we will attract one after this week,” said Graeme McDowell.

“Perhaps a better date, maybe the week after the Open (would help),” he added. “It’s tough to get a really, really hot date, but we need a decent date for this. Whatever happens from here, I think the Irish Open will be back on the map next year.”