Horizon Therapeutics has been named as the new Title Partner of the Irish Open.
The six-year deal will begin with the 2022 Horizon Irish Open at Mount Juliet Estate in County Kilkenny, Ireland, from June 30 to July 3. As a result of the new sponsor, replacing Dubai Duty Free who had backed the tournament since 2015, this year’s prize fund will double in value from 2021 to a figure of €6 million.
“Horizon has called Ireland home for nearly ten years and this partnership with the DP World Tour further solidifies our continued economic and community commitment,” said Tim Walbert, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Horizon.
“In addition to developing medicines, philanthropy is at our core. We have forged meaningful relationships in Ireland and know that serving as the Title Partner of this historic tournament will serve as a platform to positively impact the Irish and global community.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Horizon as the new Title Partner of the Irish Open,” said Guy Kinnings, deputy chief executive officer and chief commercial officer of the European Tour group.
“It is a tournament which always holds a special place in the global golfing calendar thanks to its history, the world-renowned Irish fans and of course the many world-class players the island has produced.”
“It is a sign of Horizon’s commitment to golf on the island of Ireland that they have committed until at least 2027 and we very much look forward to working with them. This agreement is just the latest example how the Strategic Alliance with the PGA TOUR continues to benefit our membership.”
Last year, Horizon entered into a multi-year partnership agreement with three-time major champion Padraig Harrington. As part of that agreement, Harrington will wear the Horizon logo on his shirts, sweaters and outerwear during tournaments, and in conjunction with the Padraig Harrington Charitable Foundation partner with the company on philanthropic programs.
“The Irish Open has special meaning for me, and I am appreciative of Horizon’s continued support to me as a golfer, the Irish Open and the Irish community overall,” said Harrington, who won the Irish Open in 2007.
“We share similar philanthropic approaches and some community partners, and I am excited to continue to explore charitable endeavours together.”
Horizon’s global headquarters are in Dublin and the company recently opened a new 62,000 square foot headquarters facility at 70 St. Stephen’s Green.
In 2021, the company purchased a 44,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Waterford, Ireland to support the growth of its on-market rare disease medicines and pipeline biologics.
During the last two years, Horizon has provided approximately €1,000,000 in community support including €123,000 in scholarships to help economically disadvantaged students from Trinity College Dublin and Waterford Institute of Technology cover their non-tuition expenses.
Sport for Business Perspective
This is another major shot in the arm (pardon the pun) for the Irish sports sponsorship sector. Horizon Therapeutics is a new commercial partner for this major event but it has proven its commitment through a partnership with Padraig Harrington and a major commitment to philanthropy. It was known that Dubai Duty Free was exiting after a strong seven-year stint as the tournament backer and to get such a prestige sponsor on a long term deal like this is a real winner.
