Golf Ireland has announced that Conor Purcell and Gary Hurley will be the Sport Ireland invitations for next week’s Amgen Irish Open at Royal County Down.
Royal Dublin’s Max Kennedy and Roganstown’s Seán Keeling have picked up the two Irish amateur invitations.
Kennedy was the highest Irish golfer in the World Amateur Golf Rankings (30), with Keeling securing his place thanks to accumulated world ranking points from the St Andrews Links Trophy, The Amateur Championship, European Individual Championship and AIG Irish Men’s Amateur Close.
This year’s Amgen Irish Open will boast 11 Irish players, with former winners Padraig Harrington, Shane Lowry and Rory McIlory joined by Seamus Power, Tom McKibbin and Simon Thornton.
Mark Power, who is a beneficiary of the Golf Ireland Pro Scheme supported by Sport Ireland, will take part in his fifth Amgen Irish Open after he finished as the leading Irish player at the Irish Challenge.
“We are delighted to have got four very much in-form players in the field,” said Golf Ireland High Performance Director, Neil Manchip.
“We are grateful to Sport Ireland, the DP World Tour and Amgen for the help in securing their places in the field.
“The Amgen Irish Open is such an important date in the calendar and we are excited to see how all of our players perform in Royal County Down next week.”
Golf Ireland CEO Mark Kennelly added that he is excited for quartet of Irish players to be given the opportunity to take part in a huge event on one of the top golf courses in world golf.
“We are thrilled to see such a strong contingent of Irish talent at this year’s Amgen Irish Open,” said Kennelly.
“Conor, Gary, Max, and Seán have all shown incredible form, and it’s fantastic to provide them with the opportunity to compete on home soil at Royal County Down.
“We are grateful to Sport Ireland for their continued support in helping to showcase the best of Irish golf.”
Dr Úna May, Chief Executive of Sport Ireland said: “Sport Ireland is very proud to be able to support the next generation of Irish golfers through the Sport Ireland invitations for the Amgen Irish Open.
“Both Conor and Gary have shown exceptional talent and determination, and these invitations will allow them to show their skills on one of the world’s finest courses.
“The Amgen Irish Open is a key event in highlighting Ireland’s rich golfing heritage, and we are excited to see these players rise to the challenge. At Sport Ireland we’re committed to fostering homegrown talent and helping them reach their full potential, and the invitations allow us to do just that.”