He's a sound lad, that Rory McIlroy. Hours after his astounding US Open win at Congressional on Sunday, golf's newest superstar could be the man who saves the Irish Open.

McIlroy's still being celebrated around the world, but at home in Ireland his new found superstardom is sure to draw huge crowds to Killarney for the struggling Irish Open on the August Bank Holiday weekend.

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Still in search of major sponsor, the European Tour and Failte Ireland nonetheless decided to press on without one, placing their trust in the Irish public.

That means they need 40,000-plus to return or the Irish Open will go the way of the Dodo.

Enter Rory McIlroy. Soon after receiving his US Open trophy on Sunday night, he pledged that he'll be bringing it to Killarney.

'Definitely, I will be playing the Irish Open later this summer,' the 22-year-old golf ace confirmed to the Belfast Telegraph. The organizers must be taking that promise to the bank.