Architecture, European TourBrian KeoghCarton House, Irish Open, Montgomerie Course, O'Meara Course, Rory McIlroyComment

Irish Open looks set for Montgomerie Course after all

Architecture, European TourBrian KeoghCarton House, Irish Open, Montgomerie Course, O'Meara Course, Rory McIlroyComment

Miguel Angel Jiménez in action on the Mongtomerie Course at Carton House. It appears that Rory McIlroy will get his chance for revenge on the Montgomerie Course at Carton House in next June’s Irish Open.

According to sources close to the European Tour, a proposed move to the O’Meara Course looks set to be shelved after bad weather delayed the construction of two new holes.

Heavy rain prevented Carton House from putting heavy machinery on the newly created first and 18th, delaying construction work and preventing seeding.

Barring a last minute change of heart, the event will return to the Montgomerie track from June 27-30, where it was played in 2005 and 2006, despite efforts by Carton House to take it to the stunning beautiful O’Meara.

McIlroy played in the 2005 Irish Open on the Montgomerie Course as an amateur but after opening with a brilliant 71, he shot 81 in the second round to miss the cut by four shots.

An official annoucement on the venue and McIlroy’s participation is expected to be made next month.

McIlroy, meanhwhile, is the only non-Olympian to earn a place on the 12-strong shortlist for this year’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.

The world No 1 said: “I am delighted to be nominated again for Sports Personality of the Year. It is a real honour to be nominated two years in a row.

“With it being an Olympic year, and with so many outstanding achievements in British sport in 2012, the voting is sure to go right down to the wire.”

The main award will be chosen by public vote and announced at the Sports Personality of the Year show from London’s ExCeL centre on December 16.

Shortlist (in alphabetical order):

  • Nicola Adams (Olympic boxing)
  • Ben Ainslie (Olympic sailing)
  • Jessica Ennis (Olympic heptathlon)
  • Mo Farah (Olympic 5,000m and 10,000m)
  • Katherine Grainger (Olympic rowing)
  • Sir Chris Hoy (Olympic cycling)
  • Rory McIlroy (world number one golfer and USPGA champion)
  • Andy Murray (Olympic tennis and US Open champion)
  • Ellie Simmonds (Paralympic swimming)
  • Sarah Storey (Paralympic cycling)
  • David Weir (Paralympic wheelchair athlete)
  • Bradley Wiggins (Olympic cycling and Tour de France winner).