McIlroy to host Irish Open until 2018

Earlier today McIlroy announced he will continue to host the Irish Open for the next three years on behalf of his foundation, with Dubai Duty Free also extending its sponsorship until 2018.

Dr Smurfit said: “We look forward to the year ahead greatly, as along with celebrating the 25-year anniversary of The K Club and the ten-year anniversary of the staging of The Ryder Cup, it will also be the year that I celebrate my 80th birthday”. According to Brian Keogh of the Irish Examiner, Woods is “believed to have been in talks with tournament host Rory McIlroy and his Rory Foundation since the Masters last April”. They made it another sell-out tournament.

“The Irish Open has always meant so much to me so I’m delighted to announce that myself, on behalf of the Rory Foundation, are going to host the Irish Open sponsored by Dubai Duty Free for the next three years”.

The airport retailer’s significant investment until 2018 is a seen as a major boost for the tournament and the prize fund for 2016 will be increased by 60 percent to €4 million.

In effect, it is a turnaround from this year when the Irish Open at Royal County Down was played the week following Wentworth.

Subsequently, the 2015 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open had more world ranking points on offer than at any other time since its inception in 1975.

His involvement in the event saw Rickie Fowler of the United States compete in the field.

Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen clinched the title and a winner’s cheque for €416,660 after he triumphed in a three-way play-off against Bernd Wiesberger and Eddie Pepperell.

It will be a big year for the K Club, which has recently undergone a major expansion, as it comes 10 years after it staged The 2006 Ryder Cup.