2005 US Open Champion Michael Campbell and 1999 Open Championship winner Paul Lawrie are joined by leading Legends Tour players such as defending champion Adilson da Silva, who won the OFX Irish Legends in a play-off last year, Scott Hend – fresh from victory in Barbados last time round – and proven Tour winners such as Greg Owen, Simon Khan, James Kingston and Rob Coles.
Ryder Cup players Stephen Gallacher, Niclas Fasth, David Gilford and Philip Price, along with Swedish duo Jarmo Sandelin and Joakim Haeggman, are also in the field. Ireland will also be well represented by David Higgins, Peter Lawrie and local favourite Gary Murphy, who grew up in the area and has decades of experience playing at Mount Juliet.
“It’s a terrific course that will provide a superb challenge for the players,” said Murphy, who lost a play-off at Mount Juliet for the Irish PGA Championship in 2012. “It should be a great week and hopefully there will be lots of spectators coming down to enjoy themselves. The course will be beautifully prepared and we are all looking forward to it.”
The line up for Wednesday’s celebrity Pro-Am is equally strong with stars of sports, stage and screen ready to hit the fairways, with the likes Daniel O’Donnell, Brian McFadden, Keith Duffy and Chris Hughes being joined by football stars including former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler, and Irish legends Liam Brady, Niall Quinn, Ray Houghton, Shay Given and Steve Staunton. Kilkenny hurling legend Henry Shefflin will also tee it up in the Pro-Am.
The 7,200-yard championship course at Mount Juliet, designed by Jack Nicklaus, has hosted no less than five Irish Opens and two World Golf Championships, including the famous 2002 edition won by Tiger Woods. With exacting holes and plenty of water, it promises a real test for all competitors.
Adilson Da Silva will return to defend the title he won in a dramatic play-off at Seapoint last year, having chased down a leading pack that included Major winners Paul Lawrie and Angel Cabrera. “I haven’t played on the golf course, but I believe Mount Juliet is a great challenge and a beautiful place. It’s going to be another experience playing on a wonderful golf course,” said the Brazilian. “It’s a change going from links to parkland, but I’ve played well on both types of courses before so I’m really looking forward to the challenge and to defending my title.
“I really enjoy going to Ireland. It’s such a beautiful place with amazing people. It’s a different game when you play on those courses, with the wind and bit of cool weather. And the Irish fans are always so enthusiastic; you can tell that they appreciate being there. I know we as players appreciate it because it makes us feel special.”
Reflecting on last year, Adilson recalls his final day when he found six birdies in 10 holes to force his way into the play-off. “I was hitting it nicely all week, but my putting was letting me down, and I only really began to hole putts on that final day. I started to make a good run from the eighth and the wind started to get up, so I thought, ‘wait a minute, there could be a curve ball here yet’.
“It was such an amazing feeling to be in the playoff because with 10 holes to go, it didn’t seem like I had a chance. But I knew I was swinging it really well so it was all about making a putt. When I made birdie on the third play-off hole I was like, ‘man, what a feeling. I can’t believe this just happened.'”
Formerly the European Seniors Tour, the Legends Tour features a global playing schedule and some of the game’s most celebrated players, with Ryder Cup captains and players, Major champions and Tour winners competing.
Uniquely, a number of playing opportunities exist for amateurs wishing to play alongside their heroes at Mount Juliet – with places still available for the full Legends Experience, the Luxe Scot Celebrity Pro-Am and Championship Pro-Am. The event will also feature family fun activities all week and under-16s go free.
The OFX Irish Legends takes place on 15th – 17th May 2025 at Mount Juliet Estate, CLICK HERE to get tickets now.
