Murphy's Irish Open
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| Location |
Ireland – varies; in 2016: Straffan, Republic of Ireland |
|---|---|
| Established | 1927, 90 years ago |
| Course(s) | The K Club |
| Par | 72 |
| Length | 7,350 yards (6,721 m) |
| Tour(s) | European Tour |
| Format | Stroke play |
| Prize fund | €4.0 million |
| Month played | May |
| Aggregate | 266 Colin Montgomerie (2001) 266 Ross Fisher (2010) |
| To par | −21 Christy O'Connor Jnr (1975) −21 Bernhard Langer (1984) |
 Rory McIlroy
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The Irish Open is a professional golf tournament on the European Tour. Beginning in 2015, the Irish Open is hosted by Rory McIlroy, and his charitable foundation is the main benefactor; the title sponsor is Dubai Duty Free.
The Irish Open was first played 90 years ago in 1927 and was played annually, except for the war years, until 1950. There was a tournament in 1953 but the event was then not played again until revived in 1975. It has been contested annually since then. From 1963 to 1974 Carroll's sponsored a tournament, generally called the Carroll's International and in 1975 they became the sponsor of the Irish Open which became known as the Carroll's Irish Open.
In 2014 and 2015 the Irish Open was one of the qualifying events for the Open Championship. The leading three players who had not already qualified and who finished in the top ten qualified.
The first Irish Open in 1927 was played at Portmarnock Golf Club from 16 to 18 August. There were 18 holes played on the first two days with the leading 60 players and ties playing a further 36 holes on the final day. In a stiff breeze local professional Willie Nolan led after the first day with a course record 72. On the second day Nolan faded after an 81 and the lead was taken by Henry Cotton on 146 with Jack Smith a shot behind. The cut was 165 and exactly 60 players qualified, including 6 amateurs. Conditions were very poor on the final day with the refreshment and press tents blown down and rain falling in torrents. Jack Smith had an excellent 77 in the morning and with Henry Cotton taking 86, Smith had an 8-shot lead over Cotton and Archie Compston. Smith, however, went to pieces and had a final round of 91 and was overtaken by Cotton, who took 81. George Duncan, starting the final round 14 shots behind, scored 74 and finished with a total of 312, beating Smith by 3 and Cotton by 1. Duncan's score of 74 was remarkable in that it was only two strokes over the new course record, on a day when his 74 and Smith's 77 in the morning were the only two rounds under 80 on the final day. Duncan took the Championship Gold Medal and the first prize of £150. Nolan was the leading Irishman, finishing fifth.
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