Dermot ‘Open’ for more success on big stage

The Ballymena golfer will line up in a stellar field for the Irish Open at Fota Island from June 19-22.

McElroy will tee up alongside Major winners Graeme McDowell, Rory McIlroy, Darren Clarke and Padraig Harrington at the Cork venue.

Dermot’s standing as one of the highest rated young golfers in Ireland has been rubber-stamped by the Golfing Union of Ireland’s decision to award him one of four spots for Irish amateurs to take their place alongside the greats of the professional circuit.

He celebrates his 21st birthday less than a week before the Irish Open begins and he hopes that his golfing career can also come of age among illustrious company.

McElroy has made no secret of his aspiration to turn professional at some stage and the Irish Open will give him a further insight into life on the tour.

It will be his third appearance in Irish golf’s flagship European Tour event, with his previous best coming in 2012 when he missed the cut by one shot as the tournament came north to Royal Portrush.

More recently, he served further notice of his ability to compete with those in the ‘paid ranks’ when he finished in a share of ninth place at last year’s Northern Ireland Open European Challenge Tour event.

Dermot has been busy in the amateur game so far this season, including trips to competitions in Spain and India, as well as finishing tied second in the South African Amateur Stroke Play Championship

His Irish Open invitation means he will have to forego the British Amateur Championship which takes place at Royal Portrush and Portstewart the same week.

However, McElroy intimated earlier this year that he now expects to complete the amateur season before contemplating turning professional.