Irish Open raises €170,000 for Make-A-Wish Ireland charity

The Amgen Irish Open raised over €170,000 for the Make-A-Wish Ireland charity, with almost half raised by players making birdies on the 18th hole at The K Club.

The Birdies for Wishes initiative on the last hole reaped an impressive €80,000 thanks to the 248 birdies and 26 eagles made during tournament week.

The 26th eagle was, of course, the most memorable as home favourite Rory McIlroy holed a 30-foot putt to force a playoff against Joakim Lagergren, and he went on to beat the Swede at the third extra hole.

Make-A-Wish Ireland was the official charity partner for the fourth consecutive year at the tournament, with the aim of raising funds to grant wishes to children living with life-threatening medical conditions.

The funds were boosted by donations from Amgen golf ambassadors Padraig Harrington, Shane Lowry and Seamus Power, who contributed €13,000. The trio pledged to donate €500 for every birdie and €1,000 for every eagle they carded during the week.

Former Open champion Lowry went “above and beyond” to spend time with 11-year-old Daire Coyle, while the funds raised will help grant more wishes to children between the ages of three and 17 living with life-threatening medical conditions.

Irish Open championship director, Paul Gillmon, said: “The return of the Amgen Irish Open to the K Club was an overwhelming success and we are delighted to see a significant amount of money raised for Make-A-Wish Ireland across the week.

“The contributions made by Title Partner Amgen, their Ambassadors Padraig, Seamus and Shane, and the thousands of spectators who donated in the Tournament Village will make a huge difference to the lives of children living with life-threatening conditions.

“We saw first-hand the incredible impact Make-A-Wish Ireland can have when Shane made a wish come true and we are incredibly humbled to have the opportunity to contribute to Make-A-Wish Ireland’s truly special work.”