WE HAVE SOME good news and some bad news, golf fans.

The good news; the blue-riband event in Irish golf is in fine fettle.

The bad news is you can’t go to the Irish Open weekend this year.

Organisers have this afternoon announced that tickets for the entire weekend’s play have now sold out.

Rory McIlroy’s foundation have taken over the running of the tournament and the world No 1 has attracted some of golf’s biggest names.

“The success of Royal Portrush in 2012 was always going to be a hard act to follow but we are delighted to report that this year’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, hosted by the Rory Foundation, has now completely sold out,” said Antonia Beggs, the European Tour’s Championship Director for the Irish Open.

“This year’s event has surpassed all of our initial expectations and much of it is down to the support of one man in particular… and that is the World number one Rory McIlroy.  The star-studded field that Rory has managed to attract to Royal County Down and the personal drive and commitment that he has displayed to make this tournament the best that it can be has really been beyond amazing,” she added.

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