Shane Lowry has given the Horizon Irish Open’s new date on the DP World Tour schedule the thumbs up with a strong field expected to tee it up at the K Club from September 7-10 next year.
Lowry was adamant throughout the year that Ireland’s showpiece golf event should be moved to September to attract a better quality of field and he believes the move will only enhance the event – despite European Ryder Cup qualifying ending the week before which was not expected.
“Moving the Irish Open to a new date in September weeks before next year’s Ryder Cup makes the 5th major even better,” Lowry posted to his Twitter and Instagram accounts.
The Irish Open had been held in July for the last five years but had drawn criticism for being a fortnight before the Open Championship with many of the world’s best players favouring the Scottish Open which was in the prime slot sandwiched between the two.
Just five of the world’s top-50 took to Mount Juliet last July with Rory McIlroy absent although he has committed himself to the K Club as he returns as defending course champion having won his only Irish Open in 2016.
Seamus Power has also given the date change the green light and he hopes it will attract a good quality of field with the 2023 Ryder Cup looming large that week.
“Yeah, absolutely. Being at the K Club, too, and as I said, me being involved with Horizon now, it’s going to be a very special week for me,” explained Power.
“Yeah, I think it could be good. I think anything to get some of (the best players) you know, I’m sure they were like talking to Rory and guys like that. They’re the guys they’re going to make sure they’re going to have there.
“Yeah, hopefully it adds something to the field, but yeah, no matter what the day it is, if I have the option of playing, I’ll definitely be there. it’s going to be a very exciting week.”
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