Clarke, G-Mac committ to Irish Open

European Tour

Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell will join fellow Irishmen Padraig Harrington and Rory McIlroy at the Irish Open.

The duo have confirmed that they will be lining up at Carton House in County Kildare from June 27-30.

With Shane Lowry also in the field, there will be five Irishmen vying to become the first local to lift the title since Lowry did so as an amateur in 2009.

“The Irish Open is obviously one of the highlights of the year for us, and it is always an event I always look forward to playing in,” Clarke, who finished runner-up in 2001, told the official European Tour website.

“The atmosphere at Royal Portrush last year was unbelievable and I think we can expect some more fantastic home support at Carton House. I played well the last time we were there in 2006 so I’d like to think I can do well again this year.”

McDowell, who is yet to finish inside the top ten at the event, is confident that the tournament will once again be a great success.

“Carton House should be another great venue for the Irish Open,” said the Northern Irishman. “Obviously Portrush was a huge success last year and was very special for me personally, but I think the Irish golf fans will again support the event and it will be another celebration of Irish golf.

“We’ve had some great success on the international stage and so it would be nice for one of us to do it at home, in front of our own fans.

“Personally, I’d love to win the Irish Open one day and hopefully this can be the year I do it.”

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