The only thing missing from the Irish Open is Happy Gilmore himself

With Rory McIlroy leading the way, this year's Irish Open looks set to be bigger than ever, with a succession of sell-outs making it the hottest ticket on the European Tour.

In fact, we reckon the only thing that could make this week at Royal County Down any more of a draw would be if PGA Tour star Happy Gilmore were to show up and start outdriving and upstaging the field. In absence of Gilmore, SportsJOE has taken some of the best quotes from him and about him and given them to the top men who actually will be teeing it up in Newcastle this week:

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 27: (L_R) Henrik Stenson of Sweden, Martin Kaymer of Germany, Lee Westwood of England, Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa ,Sergio Garcia of Spain, Mohamed Juma Buamaim the Vice Chairman and CEO of Golf in DUBAi , Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, Matthew Fitzpatrick of England, Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland, Stephen Gallacher of Scotland and Darren Clarke of Northern Ireland pose with pink scarfs supporting breast cancer awareness before teeing off in the Challenge Match ahead of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic on the Majlis Course at the Emirates Golf Club on January 27, 2015 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

To Rory McIlroy of course. His Rory Foundation is hosting the event and his good buddies in Dubai have kindly sponsored the tournament and helped bump prize money up to a total of €2.5million. McIlroy, right, has used his powers of persuasion to bring a stellar field to Royal County Down, including from left, Martin Kaymer, Lee Westwood, Louis Oosthuizen (He's not actually coming but he got himself into this otherwise perfect photo - Ed) and Sergio Garcia.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - APRIL 30: Sergio Garcia of Spain reacts to a putt on the 10th hole green during round two of the World Golf Championship Cadillac Match Play at TPC Harding Park on April 30, 2015 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

We're big Sergio fans here at SportsJOE, but for some reason he does tend to rub some of his rivals the wrong way.

PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL - MARCH 02: Padraig Harrington (R) of Ireland shakes hands with Daniel Berger (L) on the second playoff hole during the continuation of the fourth round of The Honda Classic at PGA National Resort & Spa - Champion Course on March 2, 2015 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

Nobody has spent more time focusing on the mental side of the game than Padraig Harrington, and there would be no more popular winner than the three-times major champion.

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - FEBRUARY 05: Nicolas Colsaerts of Belgium in action during the first round of the 2015 Maybank Malaysian Open at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club on February 5, 2015 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)

Belgian Ryder Cup star Nicolas Colsaerts is one of the true bombers in the game, averaging a cool 308 yards off the tee so far in 2015.

LA JOLLA, CA - FEBRUARY 08: Rickie Fowler plays a shot from the fairway on the second hole during the final round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines South on February 8, 2015 in La Jolla, California. (Photo by Todd Warshaw/Getty Images)

Rickie Fowler has begun to tone down his final round outfits of late, dispensing with his beloved Oklahoma orange entirely as he won the Players this month. Let's hope he goes back to Full Fanta at Royal County Down (and let's hope it's not the closest thing to sunshine we see).

To Miguel Angel Jimenez, the 51-year-old Spanish badass that doesn't take crap from anybody. https://twitter.com/AScottPGA/status/594292584798822401

LOUISVILLE, KY - SEPTEMBER 21: Boo Weekley of the USA team clowns around as he walks off the first tee during the singles matches on the final day of the 2008 Ryder Cup at Valhalla Golf Club on September 21, 2008 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)

Ok, so Boo Weekley is not playing and has probably never even thought about setting foot in Ireland but how many other golfers have you seen at this craic?

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With Rory McIlroy leading the way, this year's Irish Open looks set to be bigger than ever, with a succession of sell-outs making it the hottest ticket on the European Tour.

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