McIlroy extends Irish Open hosting

RORY McIlroy’s charitable foundation will continue to host the Irish Open for the next three years.

May 19th to 22nd – with Dubai Duty Free extending its title sponsorship to 2018 and Rory McIlroy also strengthening his commitment as tournament host for a further three years – will have a €4 million pot.

Outside of the Majors and the WGCs, only the BMW PGA Championship – the tour’s flagship – and the Alfred Dunhill Links and the British Masters have bigger prizefunds among the so-called regular tournaments.

Denmark’s Søren Kjeldsen is the reigning champion of the Irish Open after prevailing in a three-man play-off with Austrian Bernd Wiesberger and Englishman Eddie Pepperell.

Taking time out after their impressive World Cup pool game win over France, Fitzgerald and a handful of Irish players enjoyed a day of golf tuition from former world No. 1 Rory McIlroy.

McIlroy said: “I would like to thank Colm McLoughlin of Dubai Duty Free and Keith Pelley of The European Tour for supporting my vision to develop the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open Hosted by the Rory Foundation into one of the leading events on The European Tours schedule over the next three years.

McIlroy had watched from the stands at the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff as the Ireland team secured their place in the World Cup quarter-final.

“Last year’s Irish Open at Royal County Down was a huge success and next year’s Irish Open at the K Club in 2016 is, I’m sure, going to be another sell-out”.

Next year will be the first time the K Club has hosted the championship and will come ten years after it staged the 2006 Ryder Cup. We are also pleased that as a result of our sponsorship commitment, The European Tour has announced an increase in prize money to €4million making it very appealing for global players to participate.