Money the real key to Open’s success
NO less than with the Lions, money is central to the story of the Irish Open. Along with the patronage of Rory McIlroy, it has transformed the event into one of the most significant on the European tour.
Watching Justin Rose, Hideki Matsuyama and the marvellous Jon Rahm on an Irish course is possible thanks to the association of McIlroy but is mainly due a larger prize fund.
The latter once called in favours to bring Rickie Fowler and others of that calibre over, but now a prize fund of €7 million is the lure.
A scheduling change that moved the Irish Open to July is also important, as the world’s best players seek out links golf in preparation for the Open. Cash is the most powerful attraction in golf, however, and the talent follows the money. Perhaps this should be a cause of regret, but that is a philosophical pose that will not turn back decades of enrichment in professional sport.
Few are as lucrative as golf, and the most effective way for tournaments to compete is through larger purses.
It was the involvement of McIlroy that raised the profile of the Irish Open enough to attract a sponsor capable of deepening the prize fund, however, in a career that has known more glory than failure, his role here will be a lasting legacy.