A heartwarming collaboration between Make-A-Wish Ireland and the DP World Tour brought joy and an unforgettable moment to young Michael Horgan, aged seven, during the practice round of the Horizon Irish Open at The K Club.
Michael’s ultimate wish, to meet his golf hero Rory McIlroy, has turned into an extraordinary experience that transcends the game.
Michael Horgan’s Wish: An Unforgettable Meeting with Golf Superstar, Rory McIlroy
Seven-year-old Michael Horgan, hailing from Dublin, is an avid sports enthusiast with an unbreakable spirit. Despite living with a brain tumour, Michael’s love for golf and football has never waned. His sports heroes, including Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth, and Tiger Woods, have inspired him to keep strong throughout his illness. Michael’s initial wish was simple – to receive a personalised video message from Rory. What he didn’t expect was that this wish would evolve into something magical.
Make-A-Wish Ireland, with the generous support of the DP World Tour, contacted Rory, who graciously decided to make Michael's wish an unforgettable reality.
Michael and his family accepted Make-A-Wish's invitation to attend the Horizon Irish Open practice round at The K Club on Wednesday. Little did any of them know that this visit would lead to an extraordinary encounter.
Michael was invited to join a golf buggy ride to watch the professionals up close. What he couldn't anticipate was that his golfing idol, Rory McIlroy, would share the buggy with him. Rory played the final hole of his practice round with Michael by his side, taking a break from his schedule to engage with the young fan and discuss their shared passion for golf whilst having a few laughs along the way! This unforgettable moment will forever be etched in Michael and his family's hearts.
Conor, Michael’s dad, said of the wish: "Taking him out on the course with Rory was inspiring and added so much to the occasion, not just meeting him but being able to play with him is a thrill he'll never forget."
Horizon Therapeutics, title sponsor of the Horizon Irish Open, is committed to making a significant impact on children's lives through its partnership with Make-A-Wish Ireland. This year, Horizon has set an ambitious fundraising target of €250,000.
Tim Walbert, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Horizon, said, "We knew on day one of our partnership with the Horizon Irish Open that we wanted this platform to be a meaningful vehicle for giving back to the community and we are proud to have Make-A-Wish Ireland as our charity partner. Seeing the impact that the experience has had on Michael and his family really underlines the importance of the work that Make-A-Wish does.”
Padraig Harrington, a Make-A-Wish Ireland Ambassador and Horizon partner, also met Michael on the course during his unforgettable visit to the K Club. Harrington is also proudly wearing the charity’s logo on his sleeve during the week and he will then sign and auction his shirts to help raise further funds and said, "I'm thrilled to wear Make-A-Wish Ireland's logo on my sleeve during the Horizon Irish Open. This event is not just about golf; it's about making dreams come true for children who truly deserve it."
On Saturday, September 9th, Horizon will donate €1 for every person on-site who wears green. This special day coincides with Ireland's 2023 Rugby World Cup campaign kick-off against Romania, making it a memorable day for sports and wishes.
Tickets are still available for the Horizon Irish Open, promising world-class entertainment both on and off the golf course. Golf enthusiasts and supporters of Make-A-Wish Ireland can witness golf legends in action and contribute to this noble cause. To secure your place at The K Club, click here.
