On the tee: Irish Open draw revealed

Fans at the Irish Open won’t have long to wait before the stars of the show take to the course on Thursday morning with Rory McIlroy and Padraig Harrington in the third group out on the opening day.

The two Major Champions, with five of golf’s biggest prizes between them, will be joined by Scot Stephen Gallacher on the tenth tee at 7.50am for what is undoubtedly one of the marquee groups on day one at Fota Island Resort.

With play scheduled to get underway at 7.30am, thousands of fans are sure to flock to Cork for an early morning start.

Indeed, there is sure to be plenty to watch from the outset with England’s Matthew Fitzpatrick making his professional debut at 7.40am after his final appearance in a distinguished amateur career in last week’s US Open, where he finished leading amateur. He will have another former Open  Champion, Paul Lawrie, and European Tour winner Tommy Fleetwood for company for his first foray among the paid ranks.

Another Open Champion, Darren Clarke, is also an early starter as he will take to the course at 8am from the tenth with former Irish Open Champion Ross Fisher and Italian maestro Matteo Manassero.

Paul Casey’s defence of the title begins in the afternoon on the opening day with former US Open Champion Graeme McDowell and Ireland’s in-form Shane Lowry completing the group teeing off from the first at 12.50 in what is sure to be another huge draw for Irish golf fans.<br /><br />Ryder Cup Captain Paul McGinley follows immediately afterwards with Branden Grace and Pablo Larrazabal and so Ireland’s golfing festival begins.

<strong>ROUND ONE DRAW: click here</strong>