Irish Open: McIlroy all set for first appearance since 2018
Last updated 1st Jul 2021
Rory McIlroy is at Mount Juliet in Kilkenny today (Thursday) to take part in his first Irish Open since 2018.
The World Number 10 joins fellow countryman Graeme McDowell in a quality line-up.
No fewer than 156 golfers will compete for a prize purse of €3m.
McIlroy who is favourite to win, had originally planned to take a week off before the 149th Open at Royal St George's.
However, with strict coronavirus controls in place for the year's final major championship, McIlroy has left his wife Erica and daughter Poppy behind in the United States and added the Scottish Open to his schedule as he seeks a first major title since 2014.
Players and their management teams were informed of the regulations last week and told up to four people could stay in private rental accommodation, but only if they were part of the players' own support group.
"Up until last week my family were going to travel with me and we were going to be here for three weeks,'' McIlroy said. "My original plan was to play here, take a week off and then play the Open.
"With me being exempt as a sportsperson and the restrictions not being as heavy for me as they would be for Erica and Poppy, I felt it wasn't fair to put them through what they would have to go through to be here with me.
"Plans changed very quickly and we made a decision that I'd travel on my own and, because I wasn't going to go back to the States for one week, I thought if I'm here I may as well play the Scottish (Open).
"It went quickly from them coming to them not coming and then me playing three events in a row.
"It is nice to get a tournament on a links course before going into Sandwich, so if anything it's probably all worked out for the best.''