Follow us on Google Discover
No one has done more to bolster the Irish Open over the last 15 years than Rory McIlroy.
In the early 2010s, the Irish Open was struggling. It struggled to find a title sponsor, and its purse size could not compete with the biggest events in the world. The event actually relied on the tourism board to fund it.
That was until McIlroy stepped in. In 2014, the Rory Foundation became the official title sponsor of the Irish Open. The purse increased, and he attracted a number of big-name players to tee off in the event.
12 years later, the Irish Open is one of the most popular events on the DP World Tour. But McIlroy has one big hope for the event’s future, which he has discussed with Masters chairman Fred Ridley.
Photo by Warren Little/Getty ImagesRory McIlroy wants the Irish Open winner to receive a Masters invite
The Masters has helped to bolster a number of international events all over the world. Winners of a number of national opens receive an invitation to the next Masters tournament. But not the Irish Open.
That’s something McIlroy wants to change, and ahead of the 2026 event, he said he’s spoken to Ridley about it personally.
The back-to-back Masters champion was asked if he thinks the winner of the Irish Open should receive an invitation to The Masters, and he replied, “What do you think? Of course.
“I spoke to Chairman Ridley about this a lot, and I really applaud their dedication to international golf and getting behind some of the international opens.
“Obviously, the Asia-Pacific Amateur, the Latin America Amateur Championship- they have done great jobs with them, and it gives these exemptions to these larger National Opens.
“I would certainly sit there and argue The Irish Open’s case with Fred all day. I think, hopefully, at some point, it’s inevitable that that would become a reality.”
The event has grown significantly in stature in recent years, and this year McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Shane Lowry and Tyrrell Hatton make up part of a star-studded cast of players in the field.
It’s one of the best national opens in the world, and absolutely deserving of a Masters invitation if Ridley can make that work.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
Add to Preferred Sources