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IRELAND/UAE. In a move that will boost Dubai Duty Free’s visibility as title sponsor of the Irish Open golf tournament (May 28-31), three more big names have been added to a stellar international field.
Reigning US Open Champion and Ryder Cup hero Martin Kaymer, fellow former world number one Luke Donald and American Ryder Cup star Patrick Reed will all take part in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, which is hosted by the Rory Foundation (world number one Rory McIlroy’s charity foundation). As reported, the tournament takes place at Royal County Down Golf Club.
Many more of world golf’s big names will take part, with Rickie Fowler, Ernie Els, Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood already confirmed. They join Ireland’s golfing superstars McIlroy, Graeme McDowell, Padraig Harrington and Ryder Cup Captain Darren Clarke.
Following the addition of Dubai Duty Free as title sponsor, the prize fund will increase by +25% to €2.5 million with the 2015 champion taking home €416,660 compared to the €333,330 which Mikko Ilonen received last year.
The field now includes five current or former players who have reached the pinnacle of the world ranking – current number one Rory McIlroy, Donald, Ernie Els, Kaymer and Lee Westwood – and eight major champions in McIlroy, Els, Kaymer, Darren Clarke, Padraig Harrington, Graeme McDowell, Paul Lawrie and José Maria Olazábal. Between them, those eight players have shared 16 major titles. Between them, McIlroy and Kaymer currently hold three of the four “˜grand slam’ majors in golf.
The event now carries the most Official World Golf Ranking points since its inception. The importance of the event on The Race to Dubai schedule is further signified by the presence of seven current or former European number ones – Donald, Els, Harrington, Kaymer, McIlroy, Westwood and Robert Karlsson.
Englishman Donald last played the Irish Open in 2004, but was part of Europe’s victorious and record-equalling Ryder Cup team of 2006 at The K Club. US Open Champion Kaymer last played in Ireland in 2008, while American Ryder Cup star Reed will be making his debut in the tournament.
Kaymer said he was anticipating the Irish Open “˜buzz’ at Royal County Down. “There is definitely a good feeling about this year’s Irish Open and I think Rory has done a great job to get such a great field for the event and to create a really nice atmosphere about the tournament. He is very passionate about the tournament, and also the golf course at Royal County Down, so I am sure it will be a great week.”
Donald said: “My performances and results have been getting better and better recently and I am feeling very positive about a huge summer of golf ahead. The Irish Open will be a big part of that and I am looking forward to playing Royal County Down and some really “˜old school’ links golf – I think the links golf factor will add a lot to the event and it’s looking like it’s going to be a great week.”
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At a media day this week to promote the event were (l-r) Barry Funston (Rory Foundation), Sinead El Sibai (Dubai Duty Free), Antonia Beggs (European Tour), Kathryn Thomson (Tourism Northern Ireland) and James Finnigan (European Tour) |
McIlroy expressed delight at another three global stars signing up for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open hosted by the Rory Foundation.
“It’s great to see Martin, Luke and Patrick adding their names to the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open – to have another three truly world class players at the tournament can only give the Irish Open fans a better experience at Royal County Down so I’d really like to thank the guys for supporting the event.”
The news was welcomed by Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice Chairman Colm McLoughlin, who said: “We are delighted to be the title sponsor of this prestigious tournament. The calibre of world class players is fantastic and we are really looking forward to watching competitors like Martin Kaymer, Luke Donald and Patrick Reed perform for the crowds at Royal County Down in May. They are all tremendous additions to the field and will bring some extra excitement to the competition.”
Of the increase in prize money, he added: “This is our first year to sponsor the Irish Open and we want to invest in the tournament and work with the European Tour and the Rory Foundation in order to attract the best players in the world.”
More than 80,000 spectators are expected and tens of thousands of tickets have already been sold for the event, which is supported by Tourism Northern Ireland.
