Fans are hopeful that McIlroy will show off the iconic Masters Green Jacket but there are strict rules around the use of that
Rory McIlroy fans have an opportunity to get up close and personal with their hero and his trophies at the Irish Open next week. The world number two will tee it up in Kildare from Thursday for the Amgen Irish Open at The K Club’s Palmer North Course.
The Masters champion has yet to hold any sort of official homecoming event after completing the career grand slam earlier this year, but he will take part in a Q&A for fans in the Championship Village at The K Club on Thursday, September 4th. There were calls from the public and politicians for a homecoming ceremony in the aftermath of his stunning win at Augusta.
Golf broadcaster Shane O’Donoghue will host the special Q&A where fans can hear directly from Rory as he reflects on his remarkable journey. McIlroy won the Irish Open at this venue in 2016.
McIlroy did play at Portrush for The 153rd Open but kept public appearances to a minimum. This homecoming will be a rare and intimate opportunity for Irish golf fans to see one of the sport’s greatest ever players up close.
Fans will also have the chance to get up close with Rory’s Grand Slam trophies – the US PGA Championship, US Open, and The Open Championship – proudly on display in the Championship Village throughout the week.
There are hopes from some fans that McIlroy will don the famous Masters Green Jacket in public for the event. Despite pining for years for the Green jacket, McIlroy has only been seen in public wearing the coat on a couple of occasions. He wore it on the Jimmy Fallon Show in America and then for a Golf Writers Associatioon Dinner at Royal Portrush during the Open.
There are very strict rules around the Green jacket with only reigning champions allowed to take the jacket outside the Augusta national Golf Club during their reign.
“I’m sort of reluctant to wear it,” McIlroy said this week at East Lake, Atlanta. “It’s not as if I wear it a lot. I have it hanging in my wardrobe in a place where I can see it every day.
“I always thought if I had one, if I did win the Masters one day, I’d never take the thing off, but it hasn’t been that way. I haven’t worn it as much as I thought I would.”
“But I’ve still got it for another seven or eight months, so I’ll have a few more opportunities for people to see it and to, maybe not try it on, but at least they can see it.
“You also have to get permission every time you wear it, so there’s a lot of dos and don’ts around it as well!”
Any public appearances or photographs involving the jacket require approval from Augusta National and photographs of the jacket alongside alcohol in any way is strictly prohibited.
Paul Gillmon, Tournament Director of the Amgen Irish Open, said: “Rory’s Q&A in the Championship Village will be a truly special moment for fans. To hear directly from him about his Masters win, and his love for the Irish Open, makes this year’s festival unique.
“We also have Rory’s Grand Slam trophies on display throughout the week in the Championship Village, giving fans another incredible opportunity to celebrate his achievements up close. With so many activities, entertainment, music, and unique experiences, the Amgen Irish Open is shaping up to be a great week.”
General Admission and select Premium Experience options are still available. Fans are encouraged to secure tickets early at tickets.europeantour.com.
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