Reigning Irish Open champ Rory McIlroy could not hide his delight in news next year’s event will be staged a fortnight out from the Open Championship.
After some miserable weather the past few years, McIlroy’s backing of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open has pulled plenty of strings so much so the event will be held from July 6th to 9th, 2017 at Portstewart Golf Club and just minutes away from Royal Portrush.
It will be the third time in six years that Ireland’s national Open has been held in the north, with Royal Portrush playing host in 2012 – when advanced tickets sold out for the first time in European Tour history – and Royal County Down taking over in 2015.
Portstewart Golf Club to host 2017 Irish Open and to be staged two weeks before The Open. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
It means the Irish Open taking the place of the French Open and no doubt boosting overseas interest in the Irish Open just two week’s out from golf’s oldest major.
And it’s all down to McIlroy’s huge pulling power the European Tour has accommodated McIlroy’s request for a better weather date.
“Yeah, I’m really excited about it as we’ve been working hard with The European Tour over the last couple years to try and find suitable venues and a suitable date for The Irish Open,” said McIlroy.
“We sort of knew a long time ago that Portstewart was going to be probably where we were going to go play it in 2017. To get that date right before the Scottish is huge. To play a round of links golf leading into the Open, hopefully we can attract some marquis names to come over and play. With it being at the start of July, hopefully, fingers crossed, we can get some decent weather.
“It can only be good for the event. I’m really excited for it. I’m excited that The European Tour have worked with us and helped us getting that date and getting suitable venues going forward. I’m excited for Portstewart next year.”
