Ireland tourism looks set to get a big lift following Rory McIlroy’s elevation to World No. 1.

Ireland’s Tourism and Sport Minister, Michael Ring, confessed McIlroy’s achievement is a huge shot in the arm for the ‘Home of Champions’ marketing campaign, aimed at attracting golfing visitors to Ireland. 

“Our golfing sector is working closely with Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland to market Ireland to golfers,” said Ring.

“Rory is one of several Irish golfers who feature in our campaigns alongside Pádraig Harrington, Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell.

“We will be building on Rory’s win in the run-up to the Irish Open.

“Visitors who play golf bring some €204m into the Irish economy and support around 7,300 jobs.

“Around 155,000 overseas visitors played golf while in Ireland and the typical overseas golf tourist is worth almost three times the value of the average tourist to Ireland.”

McIlroy, Clarke and McDowell along with triple Major winning and former Irish Open winner, Padraig Harrington have all confirmed they will tee up on the famed Dunluce Course course at Royal Portrush.