IRELAND/UAE. Dubai Duty Free has extended its title sponsorship of golf’s Irish Open for four years, until 2022.
This year, the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open hosted by the Rory Foundation will take place at the Ballyliffin Golf Club in County Donegal, from 5-8 July.
Photo: Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye
The retailer began its title sponsorship of the event in 2015. The prize fund has increased year-on-year from €2.5 million to a record $7 million last year following its inauguration as one of the European Tour’s eight Rolex Series events.
Following the success of Rory McIlroy’s and his Foundation’s hosting of the tournament, a rotation of tournament hosts of the event will begin next year. From 2019, four more of Ireland’s most renowned golfers will share the hosting duties with McIlroy, beginning with 2014 Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley next year.
After that Major winners Darren Clarke, Padraig Harrington and Graeme McDowell will become involved. Eight-time European Tour winner and two-time Ryder Cup player Des Smyth will become tournament ambassador for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open until 2022.
Smyth, who is already a Dubai Duty Free Ambassador, will work closely with the European Tour and the tournament’s future hosts in order to ensure a “smooth and consistent evolution” of the tournament in the new format over the next four years.
Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Colm McLoughlin commented: “We are delighted to announce our continued sponsorship of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open which has grown significantly in the past four years. Thanks to Rory McIlroy and his Foundation for its support and we are looking forward to a fantastic event in Ballyliffin this year.”
Photo: Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye
European Tour Chief Executive Keith Pelley commented: “Dubai Duty Free has been a fantastic partner since taking on the title sponsorship of the Irish Open back in 2015. They have been fundamental in this tournament’s resurgence and we sincerely thank Colm McLoughlin, Sinead El Sibai and everyone at Dubai Duty Free for their unwavering support and commitment.
“Rory McIlroy has, of course, also been instrumental in this success and we look forward very much to his hosting of this year’s tournament at Ballyliffin. Rory has given us the platform to build for the future and we are very excited at what we can achieve with the new era over the next four years.”
Des Smyth said: “I am thrilled to have been invited to be an ambassador for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open for the next four years. It’s an exciting time for this tournament and I look forward to working with the European Tour and all of the tournament hosts over the next four years to help bring this great event to new levels of success.”
