Shane Lowry has put forward two alternative Irish Open dates that could bring Rory McIlroy back into the fold.
World number three McIlroy stayed away from the event played at Mount Juliet last week because he doesn't want to play competitive golf a fortnight out from the British Open.
McIlroy participated in the Irish Open last year but also missed the 2019 and 2020 tournaments.
Read more: Niall Horan to return to Northern Ireland for Celebrity Pro-Am event
"It’s all up to him," said Lowry, who finished in tied ninth place behind first-time DP World Tour winner Adrian Meronk, who took home $1m. The Pole shot a final round 66 - playing the last four holes in four under - to finish on 20 under par for a three shot win over Ryan Fox.
"We’d love to have him here. He’s such a big name in the world of golf," said Lowry of McIlroy.
"Is it that this date doesn’t suit him? If we moved it to a different date to suit him would that be better? Probably. It’d be nice to have him here. He’s one of the best golfers in the world.
"The week after The Open is a very good date, and the week after Wentworth, too - we’re finished the FedEx, we could get home for a couple of weeks.
"One of my favourite weeks of the year is Hilton Head, that’s the week after the Masters.
"I go away and have a bit of a holiday with my family and play a bit of golf. I feel like a few people might do that if the Irish Open is the week after The Open - relax and unwind after the last major of the year, a trip to Dublin.
"We’re in The K Club next year, it's not too far away, have a nice getaway with your family. Stuff like that you can think about when you’re looking for a date for a tournament.
"It doesn’t have to be before a tournament to get a player ready - it can be turned into something else."
This Scottish Open is next up on the DP World Tour schedule next week before St Andrews hosts the 150th Open Championship from July 14.
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