The Dubai Duty Free Irish Open hosted by the Rory Foundation will return to Northern Ireland next year after Portstewart Golf Club was confirmed as the host venue at the later time of July 6-9, 2017.
The new dates move it closer to the Open Championship and will bring up a trio of events to be held on links courses alongside the Scottish Open and the season’s third major won this year by Henrik Stenson.
McIlroy of course won his own Open for the first time this year, when it was held at the K Club.
“Portstewart is an excellent links course and one of Northern Ireland’s hidden gems, so it’s great news that we are taking the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open there next year,” he said.
“Winning at The K Club earlier this year was without doubt one of the highlights of my career, and I’m already looking forward to defending my title at Portstewart next July.”
“The crowds at Portrush and Royal County Down were unbelievable, and I’m sure the people of Northern Ireland will come out to support the tournament again next year.”
Founded in 1894 and long considered one of the country’s finest links courses, Portstewart will be staging a European Tour event for the first time. It is though the third time in six years that the tournament is to be held North of the Border.
Whether such ease of movement will be possible once Northern Ireland, as part of the UK exit from the European Union remains to be seen.
Royal Portrush played host in 2012 – when advanced tickets sold out for the first time in European Tour history – and Royal County Down took over in 2015.
Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman & CEO, Dubai Duty Free, said: “Next year will mark our third as title sponsor of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open and our second time in Northern Ireland, where in 2015 we saw first-hand how enthusiastic and loyal the golf fans are.”
“We are looking forward to working with the European Tour and the Rory Foundation on delivering another fantastic tournament, and one that the players, spectators and a global TV audience will remember for some time to come.”
Economy Minister Simon Hamilton said: “I welcome today’s announcement that The Dubai Duty Free Irish Open Hosted by the Rory Foundation is to be held at the Portstewart Golf Club.”
“I want to ensure that the Irish Open benefits the local economy across the days of the tournament in Portstewart next July by showcasing the beautiful north coast area to the world.”
“Both my Department, Tourism Northern Ireland, the Causeway Coast and Glens Council, Tourism Ireland and wider tourism industry will be working to deliver another sold out Dubai Duty Free Irish Open in July 2017.
“The success of events such as the Irish Open as well as our local golfers has helped boost our golf product. Northern Ireland has many world class courses including Lough Erne in County Fermanagh or Ardglass in County Down. I look forward to bringing world class golf events to every part of the country. Golf tourism has huge potential and we will be working to ensure it is fully harnessed.”
“The Dubai Duty Free Irish Open has also been the catalyst for attracting the Open back to Portrush in 2019 and will provide a perfect build up to the excitement of that event in three years’ time.”
Keith Pelley, Chief Executive of the European Tour, said: “We are delighted to announce that the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open hosted by the Rory Foundation will be staged at Portstewart in 2017.
“Thanks in no small part to Rory McIlroy’s personal commitment alongside that of his Foundation, the Irish Open has unquestionably grown in stature over recent years. We also must thank our partners in the championship – title sponsors Dubai Duty Free and the Northern Ireland Government – for their continued vision and commitment not only to this event, but to the European Tour as a whole.
“Northern Ireland has some of the most passionate and knowledgeable golf fans in the world and I know how much our members enjoyed the recent Irish Opens at Royal Portrush and Royal County Down. I have no doubt that next year’s edition at Portstewart will add another memorable chapter to the history of this great championship.”
Barry Funston, CEO of the Rory Foundation, said: “Since the Rory Foundation began hosting the Irish Open in 2015, we have seen the tournament go from strength to strength. We view the Irish Open as a platform for positive change, enabling the Rory Foundation to activate innovative and impactful initiatives in the areas of most need.
“Having the tournament return to Northern Ireland is very special to us, and I have no doubt that huge crowds will come along to the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open to see Rory defend his title on the links of Portstewart.”
Sport for Business’ Golf Coverage is proudly supported by Carr Golf
Sport for Business’ Golf Coverage is proudly supported by Carr Golf
