Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell Set For Irish Open

Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell have confirmed that they will both compete in the 2013 Irish Open, completing Ireland’s line-up of Major Champions at Carton House during the June event.

The pair will join Padraig Harrington and world number one Rory McIlroy in the field, along with Carton House Touring Professional Shane Lowry, who won the event as an amateur in 2009.

Clarke, the 2011 Open Champion, was third behind winner Thomas Björn the last time the Irish Open was played at Carton House in 2006. He was also joint runner up to Colin Montgomerie at Fota Island in 2001 and will be hoping to go one better when he makes his 22nd appearance in 2013.

“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,” said Clarke.

“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 reached the quarter-finals of last week’s WGC-Accenture Match Play in Arizona, is also looking forward to putting on a good show for the Irish golf fans. The 2010 US Open Champion finished tied-16th last year at his home course of Royal Portrush, but has yet to finish inside the top-10 in the event.

“Carton House should be another great venue for the Irish Open,” said McDowell. “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.”

Golf fans hoping to see Clarke, Harrington, McDowell and McIlroy in action at Carton House can take advantage of a special advance ticketing offer, where all four days can be bought for just €70.

Adult day tickets are priced at €30 pre-event, and €35 on the gate. Concessions are available at €50 for a season (€60 on the gate) and €20 for any one day (€25 on the gate). Under-16s accompanied by an adult are admitted free of charge and all car parking is also free.

Full ticket information can be found at: www.europeantour.com/tickets.