GOLF: Whitehead's John-Ross Galbraith receives Irish Open invite

Shane Lowry famously won the Irish Open as an amateur at Co Louth in 2009 and now Galbraith, Colm Campbell, Jack Hume and will have the chance to emulate him at The K Club.

The 22-year-old reigning North of Ireland champion was Ireland’s anchor man during their victory at the Home Internationals in 2015.

Among the professionals Galbraith will be competing against at The K Club are US Masters champion Danny Willett, tournament host Rory McIlroy, Major champions Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell, Padraig Harrington and Darren Clarke, Spaniard Rafa Cabrera Bello, the English trio of Matt Fitzpatrick, Andy Sullivan and Chris Wood, defending champion Søren Kjeldsen of Denmark, and Austrian Bernd Wiesberger.

As in previous years, the GUI, through its close relationship with The European Tour, received three playing invitations for the Irish Open. These invitations give Ireland’s elite amateurs an invaluable opportunity to compete against the world’s best players.

“Not many amateurs get this chance. We’re very thankful to the European Tour for these invitations. I’m delighted for the players that they are getting this opportunity to put themselves up against the best in the world,” said Ireland senior captain Tony Goode.

“These three players are all aspiring to play in the professional game and they are deserving of the opportunity to play in the Irish Open.”