Since last September, when it was announced that the Rory Foundation was to become the official tournament host of the Irish Open, many fans had hoped to see the stars of the global game return to Ireland.
With the World's best player taking such an active involvement in the tournament, is the Irish Open about to return to the glory days when it the tournament was shared by Bernhard Langer, Seve Ballesteros, Nick Faldo, Ian Woosnam and Jose Maria Olazabal over a 12 year period in the 1980's and 1990's.
All five men were major winners during their careers and four of them reached World number one at one point. Olazabal was the exception, his highest position was second.
Comparing the entry field from last years field at Fota Island to the one that will take to the Royal County Down links this week, has McIlroy's active involvement brought a higher quality to the field?
With all the star names playing in Newcastle this week, how many are currently in the game's elite? We will be lucky enough to see three top ten player in the field, including McIlroy along with Sergio Garcia and the recent Players' champion Rickie Fowler. McIlroy was the only player in the World's top 10 last year to feature.
The tournament last saw only three of the World's top 40 compete. Two of those were Irish, with Graeme McDowell joining McIlroy and Scotland's Stephen Gallacher in Cork.
A view of Royal County Down Golf Club ©INPHO/Presseye/Darren Kidd
With Ireland's recent success in majors, the tournament will always be full of major champions, but taking Padraig Harrington, McDowell, McIlroy and Darren Clarke out of the equation, how many major champions will feature this year?
Ernie Els, the reigning US Open champion Martin Kaymer and Paul Lawrie all compete. European Tour stalwart Lawrie was also in attendance in Cork, along with Olazabal as the only non Irish major winners in the field. The Spaniard is absent this year.
One of the most popular players on the fairways this week will be Els. The four time major winner has a popular following around the world and is an excellent addition to the field.
The addition of Kaymer, adds serious legitimacy to our national Open. The German star ensures that three of the reigning major championship winners will be in Down this week.
On my way to Ireland, look forward to be in one of the most beautiful countries #RoyalCountyDown #IrishOpen #greatfans
— Martin Kaymer (@MKaymer59) May 26, 2015
As with many tournaments around the world, prize money plays a significant factor in attracting stars. McIlroy's involvement in the tournament has brought in a title sponsor for the first time since 2010 and the prize money has increased by 25% in the space of a year.
The World Number One has done a tremendous job in putting the Irish Open back on the global map. McIlroy calls the tournament his "Fifth Major".
If the trajectory of the tournament continues as it has started since McIlroy's involvement, it may become one of the star attractions on the European Tour's summer schedule.
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