Northern Ireland

Rory McIlroy set to tee off in first competition in Northern Ireland in five years

Superstar golfer to compete at the Irish Open at Royal County Down next week

Rory McIlroy pictured at The Irish Open at the Royal County Down in Newcastle in May 2015. Picture by Arthur Allison
Rory McIlroy pictured at the Irish Open at Royal County Down in Newcastle in May 2015. PICTURE: ARTHUR ALLISON/PACEMAKER
By Suzanne McGonagle

Rory McIlroy is expected to fly in at the weekend to begin preparations for the Irish Open, the first time he will have played competitively in Northern Ireland for more than five years.

The golfer will make his return to the north to take part in the Irish Open at Royal County Down, which runs from September 12-15.

Range sessions with Rory 🦁

Coming back soon to the Amgen Irish Open ☘️

Posted by Irish Open on Sunday 1 September 2024

It will mark the first time he has played a competitive golf tournament in the north since 2019, when he missed the cut at The Open at Portrush.

He also failed to make the cut two years previously at the Irish Open at Portstewart.

Rory McIlroy feels the strain of a poor first day on the course at the Irish Open at Royal County Down on Thursday Picture: Pacemaker
Rory McIlroy, pictured in 2015, feeling the strain of a poor first day on the course at the Irish Open at Royal County Down. PICTURE: PACEMAKER

Since then, the Irish Open has only been played north of the border on one occasion, at Galgorm Castle in 2020, but McIlroy did not play in the Covid affected year.

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The four-time Major champion McIlroy (34) will bid for a second Irish Open crown after claiming victory at The K Club in 2016.

Speaking earlier this year, McIlroy told of his delight at returning home.

“Since making my first appearance at the Irish Open nearly 20 years ago, it has been such a special tournament to play in, but it will be doubly so for me this time round,” he said.

“I’m incredibly excited to have the opportunity play in this year’s Irish Open at a venue so close to home.

“Royal County Down is a fantastic venue and I still have some great memories from the 2007 Walker Cup.

A general view of Royal County Down
A general view of Royal County Down

“The crowds are always so supportive of all the Irish golfers taking part and the atmosphere is unlike any other we have at a golf tournament.”

Fellow former Irish Open winner, Major Champion and Ryder Cup star Shane Lowry is also set to compete as well as three-time Major Champion Pádraig Harrington, eight-time PGA Tour winner Billy Horschel, European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald and four-time DP World Tour winner Ryan Fox.

RTÉ Late Late Show presenter Patrick Kielty, former rugby players Johnny Sexton and Tommy Bowe and actor James Nesbitt are to take part in this year’s Irish Open Pro Am on September 11.

The line-up was extended last week to include Armagh’s Rían O’Neill and Jarlath Óg Burns as well as Armagh coach and former Kerry footballer Kieran Donaghy and former Ireland and Ulster rugby player Rory Best.