Twelve months ago, The K Club staged an Irish Open for the ages as home favourite Rory McIlroy captured his second title in dramatic fashion. The six-time major winner again headlines a stellar field as Trump International Golf Links & Hotel in County Clare hosts the tournament for the first time.
The Irish Open precedes the tour's flagship event, the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, which will be played next week. With several star names in action and no shortage of storylines to follow throughout the week, here is everything you need to know about the Irish Open. A lot. Five months after completing the career Grand Slam with a memorable win at the Masters, McIlroy sealed an emotional win in front of an ecstatic Irish crowd by beating Joakim Lagergren in a play-off. Trailing Lagergren by two shots on the 72nd hole, McIlroy sunk a 25-foot eagle putt to take the Swede to a play-off and eventually prevailed on the third extra hole. It was a gripping final round as McIlroy tussled for the trophy with Lagergren, overnight leader Adrien Saddier, Angel Hidalgo and Rafael Cabrera-Bello, who catapulted into contention with an ace at the third. The win, which came nine years after his first Irish Open title - provided a well-timed boost for McIlroy just three weeks before he helped Europe retain the Ryder Cup with victory over the United States at Bethpage Black in New York.
