It is arguably the highest-profile pro-am in the world, a two-day affair in Ireland sponsored by 71-year-old Irish businessman J.P. McManus (former majority shareholder in Manchester United and inveterate gambler) which raises funds for charities throughout the island nation.
On July 4 and 5 a field that would make most tour sponsors blink will tee off at Adair Manor - a lovely Tom Fazio-designed parkland course on the grounds of the kind of manor house tourists fly across an ocean to see – in the JP McManus Pro-Am. The 50 pros – each of whom will play with three amateurs – include the likes of Scottie Scheffler, Jon Rahm, Justin Thomas, Matt Fitzpatrick, Collin Morikawa, Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, Brooks Koepka, and a host of others.
There are 21 major champions and a who’s-who of the game at this event – 49 men, and one lone woman.
Nestled in the middle is LPGA Tour star Leona Maguire, an Irish native and one of the most popular players in the field. Maguire will tee off on Monday right in between teams led by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.
It’s a hit-and-giggle event with no world ranking points and a lot of socializing. But to have one of the LPGA Tour’s best playing in such an elite field speaks volumes for the respect the women’s game now commands.
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