Graeme McDowell will tee-off as US Open champion in front of his home fans in July at the 3 Irish Open in Killarney.
US Open champion confirmed for Irish Open in July
Graeme McDowell will tee-off as US Open champion in front of his home fans in July at the 3 Irish Open in Killarney.
McDowell's one-shot victory at Pebble Beach elevated him into the lofty status of major winner, and he is now the major attraction at upcoming events.
The Ulsterman will be going for back-to-back major wins at the Open at St Andrews in July, and he could well be a double major winner by the time he arrives in Killarney a fortnight later.
McDowell's first Major win has also cemented his place in Europe's Ryder Cup Team to face the United States in Wales this October, but before that he wants to add the 3 Irish Open trophy to his burgeoning trophy cabinet at home in Portrush.
"To be able to tee up at the 3 Irish Open as the US Open Champion is going to be pretty special," said McDowell of his participation in the Irish Open, which starts July 29.
Awesome
"I look forward to the 3 Irish Open every year, but to able to compete in front of the Irish fans as a major winner will be an awesome feeling.
"It's shaping up to be a great event down in Killarney - I know that 3, The Tour and Failte Ireland are working hard on putting together a great event over the bank holiday weekend.
"We are looking at having a great field this year in a fantastic location and you can start to feel a lot of optimism around the 3 Irish Open."
Maurice O'Meara, General Manager of the Killarney Golf and Fishing Club, said: "Killarney Golf & Fishing Club would like to sincerely congratulate Graeme on his extraordinary win at Pebble Beach over the weekend.
"It is a true sign of the strength of The European Tour at the moment. We look forward to welcoming Graeme to Killarney as US Open champion.
Warm welcome
"The late Payne Stewart was welcomed here for the Irish Open in 1991 as US Open Champion and we are sure that Graeme will receive a wonderful welcome here on his arrival as a major champion.
"His participation in the 3 Irish Open will attract massive following and will only add to what we hope will be a wonderful festival of golf."
European Tour chief executive George O'Grady voiced his praise for McDowell and his major victory, and was delighted he would be teeing up in Ireland in July.
"Graeme's outstanding US Open triumph is another illustration of the strength in depth of the European Tour," said O'Grady.
"Graeme has continued a remarkable run for European Tour Members with 14 major championship wins since the turn of the century, including three by Padraig Harrington, and we look forward to seeing him welcomed home as a Major winner at the 3 Irish Open."
