Rory McIlroy returns to the course today to do the honors and defend his title in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, at Portstewart Golf Club, in the Northern Irish city from which the club takes its name. The appointment would be one of the most prestigious on the European circuit, the third stage of the Rolex Series with prize money of seven million dollars. The race is organized by McIlroy's foundation and the 28-year-old, winner of four majors, is a magnet for fans and players.
However, the US champions continue to snub the continental circuit and no American name of great prestige participates in the event. The filed, in any case, is of an excellent level and superior to that of Paris last week. There are five players in the top 15 of the world rankings: the Japanese Hideki Matsuyama, number two; Rory, number four and defending champion; the Spaniard Jon Rahm, number 11; the English Justin Rose, number 13, and Tommy Fleetwood, number 15, winner of last Sunday's Open de France. The race is one of the last stages of the approach to the Open Championship (July 20-23), the third major of the season. The next is the Scottish Open (July 13-16), which has always been very popular even by the stars and stripes tour champions and considered a sort of general rehearsal of the British.
Four Italian players were at the starting tees this morning: Edoardo Molinari, Matteo Manassero, Renato Paratore and Nino Bertasio; the first three looking for redemption, after the missed cut in Paris. Also to follow Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood, Miguel Angel Jimenez and Rafa Cabrera Bello, Graeme McDowell, Padraig Harrington, Victor Dubuisson.
