Shane Lowry has put forward two alternative Irish Open dates that could bring Rory McIlroy back into the fold. World number three McIlroy stayed away from the event played at Mount Juliet last week because he doesn't want to play competitive golf a fortnight out from the British Open.
McIlroy participated in the Irish Open last year but also missed the 2019 and 2020 tournaments. Niall Horan to return to Northern Ireland for Celebrity Pro-Am event "It’s all up to him," said Lowry, who finished in tied ninth place behind first-time DP World Tour winner Adrian Meronk, who took home $1m.
The Pole shot a final round 66 - playing the last four holes in four under - to finish on 20 under par for a three shot win over Ryan Fox. "We’d love to have him here.
He’s such a big name in the world of golf," said Lowry of McIlroy. "Is it that this date doesn’t suit him? If we moved it to a different date to suit him would that be better?