Purcell and Hurley named as Sport Ireland invitations for Amgen Irish Open

Sport Ireland are delighted to announce that Conor Purcell (pictured above) and Gary Hurley will be the Sport Ireland invitations for the Amgen Irish Open. 

This year’s Amgen Irish Open will boast 11 Irish players, with former winners Pádraig Harrington, Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy joined by Séamus Power, Tom McKibbin and Simon Thornton at Royal County Down between September 12-15.  

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." 

Max Kennedy (Royal Dublin) and Seán Keeling (Roganstown) have picked up the two Irish amateur invitations for the event. 

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. 

Neil Manchip, Golf Ireland High Performance Director, said: “We are delighted to have got four very much in-form players in the field.” 

“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.” 

Mark Kennelly, Golf Ireland CEO, said: "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." 

Mark Power, who is a beneficiary of the Golf Ireland Pro Scheme supported by Sport Ireland, will be taking place in his fifth Amgen Irish Open after he finished as the leading Irish player at the Irish Challenge. 

Picture credit: Fran Caffrey / Golffile.