THE 2020 IRISH Open will take place at Galgorm Castle in Antrim from 24-27 September.
The European Tour has announced a new date and venue for the event which was originally due to be held at Mount Juliet in May but was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
There was speculation that Galgorm Castle could be selected as the new venue for the Open, and will also hold the European Challenge Tour’s NI Open earlier in the month.
The tournament will follow the US Open which is scheduled to take place at Winged Foot in New York the previous weekend.
Holding the Irish Open in Northern Ireland means that those travelling directly from that event will not be required to quarantine for 14 days, as this restriction only applies in the Republic of Ireland.
The Irish Open will be subject to similar guidelines to the current ‘UK Swing’ events, including being played behind closed doors.
The 2020 @DDFIrishOpen will now be played at Galgorm Castle on September 24-27.
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) August 14, 2020
While Rory McIlroy has indicated that he is unlikely to play outside of America due to Covid-19 concerns at present, this move could allow golfers including Shane Lowry and Graeme McDowell to perform at the Ballymena course.
Jon Rahm won the 2019 edition of the event at Lahinch Golf Club, having previously won the tournament in 2017.
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This doesn’t make sense, as you do need to quarantine if travelling from the USA to UK at present. With the condensed nature of Fedex Cup leading into the remaining majors, the US Open and Masters, you could count on one hand the amount of American based golfers that will travel.
@Mike Faherty: just ridiculous the idea. Hope they arrive 14 days earlier to quarantine. But doubt it will happen.
@Claudia O’Riordan: Us Open finishes 4 days before Irish, so they definitely wont be isolating for 14 days. As long as all players, caddies, coaches etc. keep getting tested as least once a week there shouldnt be a problem with anyone coming over
@Sean Dalton: can’t see any American playing in it, nor can I see any of the big european players playing 3 days after us open which is off the back of fed ex cup playoffs.
Open the pubs
@Fran O’Keeffe: jaysus that’s original… haven’t seen anyone post that before.
@Canyon: even the man who can’t think, can say that.
@Canyon: you want to get out more maybe the pub
Hoped the old head of Kinsale would showcase it this year
@Denis White: the old head is a fantastic venue but if the fog comes in, it would make for challenging viewing.
Elite athletes do not have to isolate in uk
Good call