McIlroy's Presence In Next Years Irish Open A 'Massive Boost' For Organizers

World No. 1 Rory McIlroy will make the Irish Open "one of the hottest tickets" in European golf next summer, according to Karl MacGinty of the IRISH INDEPENDENT. He "vowed to cut back" on his tournament schedule in '13, but is determined to support his national championship. McIlroy's participation at Carton House "will be confirmed at a briefing to be staged by the promoters and the host club within the next fortnight." This represents a "massive boost" to the tournament as it gets ready to return to Ireland following last summer's visit to Royal Portrush, where the Irish Open "became the first European Tour sanctioned event to draw crowds greater than 100,000" (IRISH INDEPENDENT, 11/27).