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Golf

19th Apr 2015

Tiger Woods may be at the 2016 Irish Open, if Rory can work his magic

This would be a boon for the tournament

Patrick McCarry

Make this happen Rory.

By having his name attached to the 2015 Irish Open, Rory McIlroy has encouraged world-class golfers Martin Kaymer, Sergio Garcia, Luke Donald and Patrick Reed to partake in the tournament.

One player that will not feature is Tiger Woods. The former world number one, and 14-time Major winner, is currently taking another short hiatus after his commendable outing at the US Masters.

Woods looked close to his best on days two and three, and eventually finished on -5.

The American remains a huge draw and Michael Smurfit, owner of the K Club in Straffan, Kildare, is hoping to tempt him across the Atlantic to take part in the 2016 Irish Open.

Smurfit wants to host next year’s tournament, at the venue that staged the 2006 Ryder Cup, and feels Woods could by the jewel in the crown.

He told The Sunday Independent, ‘In his younger days, he made regular visits to us in the company of Mark O’Meara. Obviously I would be delighted to see him back there competing and I’d be relying on Rory to persuade him.’

Woods and McIlroy have grown close in the past two years, ever since the Northern Irishman was signed into the Nike golf stable. McIlroy has appeared at Woods’ sponsored events so perhaps the American owes him a favour.

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