Wayne Westner was one of the most talented players in the world, winning the 1995 Dubai Desert Classic and 1996 World Cup of Golf with Ernie Els. not to mention another 11 Sunshine Tour events in his native South Africa. He's also a man with a great passion for the golf swing.

Tiger Woods could be set to make his return to The K Club for next year’s Irish Open — 10 years after the USA’s crushing Ryder Cup defeat and Darren Clarke’s tears of joy.

The downturn was tough for big resorts such as spectacular Mount Juliet in Co Kilkenny but things are changing at the Jack Nicklaus designed track which has taken on Waterford native Kevin Phelan as its touring professional.

Luke Donald is contemplating adding the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open to his schedule, his caddie told Sky Sports on Saturday.

When John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote "With a Little Help from My Friends" they probably never have imagined it would become one of the biggest sellers of all time.  Now, after a four-year desert trek without a title sponsor, it turns out that the combination of Rory McIlroy, The Irish Open and his superstar pals was a heady enough cocktail to attract Dubai Duty Free as title sponsors for what could become one of European Tour's greatest hits. 

The Irish Open will have a title sponsor this year for the first time since 2010 and while it's initially only for one-year, Rory McIlroy's Midas touch may prove irresistible.

A European Tour spokesman has confirmed that Lough Erne Resort will host the Irish Open as planned in 2017.

In-form Padraig Harrington will be hoping to add a second Irish Open title to his glittering CV when he heads to Royal County Down for the Irish Open Hosted by the Rory Foundation in May.

On Monday Pádraig Harrington was on such a high following his Honda Classic comeback win that he insisted he'd honour his commitments and take up four sponsors invitations in a row before playing in the Masters. Now he's not so sure.

With precisely 100 days to go until this year’s Irish Open hosted by The Rory Foundation, two more legends of the game – four-time Major-winner Ernie Els and Ryder Cup talisman, Sergio Garcia – have become the latest superstars to add their names to what is fast becoming one of the strongest fields in the tournament’s recent history, writes the European Tour.

Given his battle against the "yips" or whatever mental block is causing him the short game horrors, the rumour mill has begun to whirl once more over a potential appearance by Tiger Woods in May's Irish Open at Royal County Down. 

Rory McIlroy might be box office but the Irish Open still needs a commitment from the Irish Government to ensure that event builds on the momentum of what promises to be an 80,000 sell out at Royal County Down next May.

The European Tour is keeping its fingers crossed that the drawing power of Rory McIlroy and world No 9 Rickie Fowler — with the promise of more big names to come — will boost the chances of ending the long wait for a title sponsor for the Irish Open.

Rickie Fowler insists he wants to help out pal Rory McIlroy and play the Irish Open at Royal County Down next year.

Rory McIlroy hopes his decision to host the Irish Open at Royal County Down next year will help restore the event to its former glory.

His mere presence is a gilt-edged guarantee but the news that the Rory McIlroy Foundation is to host the Irish Open at Royal County Down next May coverts the golden boy into the King Midas of Irish golf.

Fota Island’s massive success as an Irish Open venue is no guarantee that the event will return to the Cork resort in 2016 with the Chinese owners keen to reap the benefits of last week's hugely successful staging.