Dubai Duty Free is to sponsor the 2015 Irish Open.
News of the sponsorship was announced today at Royal County Down GC and host venue for the Irish Open starting on May 28th.
The event will be known as the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open Hosted by the Rory Foundation and will see World Number One Rory McIlroy play the role of tournament host on behalf of his charitable foundation.
It will be the first major tournament at Royal County Down since McIlroy was a member of the 2007 GB & I Walker Cup team and his last amateur appearance before turning pro.
And with www.golfbytourmiss.com revealing earlier this week that McIlroy is trying to entice Dustin Johnson also to return to the course after been a member of the victorious USA side and join former team mate Rickie Fowler it promises to be an exciting week’s golf on one of the best links courses on the planet.
McIlroy is set to be also joined by Ernie Els, Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood already confirmed to join Ireland’s golfing superstars McIlroy, Graeme McDowell, Padraig Harrington and Ryder Cup Captain Darren Clarke.
McIlroy said: “It’s great news that Dubai Duty Free has come on board as the title sponsor for this year’s Irish Open. Dubai Duty Free is a strong global brand with great experience in sports sponsorship through golf, tennis and horse racing.
“The European Tour and I both have strong links to Dubai, and I am sure Dubai Duty Free will bring a lot to the event and add to its already great prestige.”
One of the world’s leading airport retailers with a turnover of US$1.9 billion in 2014, Dubai Duty Free is already associated with The European Tour as sponsors of the DP World Tour Championship and the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, won at the Emirates Golf Club this year by McIlroy.
Dubai Duty Free’s golf portfolio also includes the Dubai Ladies Masters, as well as a series of high-profile events including the annual Dubai Duty Free Golf World Cup, Dubai Duty Free UAE Nationals Cup, Dubai Duty Free Golf Cup and Dubai Irish Golf Society tournament.
Kathryn Thomson, Chief Operating Officer, Tourism Northern Ireland, Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman, Dubai Duty Free, Captain RCD Kenneth McCaw, George O’Grady, Chief Executive, European Tour, and Barry Funston Chief Ececutive, Rory Foundation,at the announcement of title sponsor for the Irish Open to be the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, to be held at Royal Co Down Golf Club, Newcastle, Co Down, Northern Ireland.
Picture: Fran Caffrey / www.golffile.ie
