New era for Dubai Duty Free Irish Open announced

A new era for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open was unveiled today with news that the tournament, from 2019 onwards, will be hosted annually by some of the greats of the Irish game.

The new era will begin with Paul McGinley assuming the hosting role in 2019.
Alongside the 2014 Ryder Cup Captain in the hosting ‘pool’ for future years are Ireland’s four Major Champions; Darren Clarke, Padraig Harrington, Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy, whose Foundation has hosted the tournament since 2015.

The Rory Foundation will continue as host for this year’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Ballyliffin Golf Club in County Donegal from July 5-8.
The precise future rotation of players and years will be revealed in due course, along with the venue for 2019.

Keith Pelley, Chief Executive of the European Tour, said: “Today’s announcement is yet another exciting development in the history of one of our great tournaments.

“Ireland has been blessed with many legendary golfers over the years and to have five of them agree to host the country’s national Open over the next five years shows a terrific commitment both to their homeland and to the European Tour.

“I cannot use the word commitment without paying special thanks to Rory McIlroy, who has worked tirelessly alongside our fantastic tournament sponsor Dubai Duty Free over the past four years to raise the tournament to an entirely new level, and I am delighted he will return to the role of host in a future year.”

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