Paul McGinley, on the back of getting confirmation that the 2020 Ryder Cup will not be moved back a year, is now suggesting the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open will go ahead but possibly behind closed doors.
The premier Irish event was due to be staged from May 28th to 31st on the Mount Juliet Estate in Kilkenny but then was postponed last month due to continuing Coronavirus pandemic fears.
And now it’s understood the event could go ahead later in the year according to McGinley who was speaking on RTE.
“It’s a shame as we had a really great field lined up,” he said of the event to be hosted by Graeme McDowell, with Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry and defending champion Jon Rahm all confirmed to tee-up.
“I think we all need to get our heads round the fact that, when we do get out the other side of this virus, it’s very unlikely that the Irish government will allow mass gatherings at any sporting event.
“So if the Irish Open is to go on at Mount Juliet later in the year, I think there is a very strong chance it will be without a mass gathering. That would be a very eerie place.”
The Irish Open was set to be the Tour’s second Rolex Series event of 2020. What do we feel about the prospect of an Irish Open with no fans?
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