Rory McIlroy will play at this year's Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, competition organiser Graeme McDowell has confirmed today.
The 2020 tournament is set to take place between the 27th and 31st of May at the Mount Juliet Estate in Kilkenny and will now see the World Number One take part.
McIlroy lifted the trophy back in 2016.
The now 30-year-old controversially didn't take part in last year's tournament in Lahinch to focus his preparations on the Open Championship at Royal Portrush - where he didn't make the cut.
Very excited to announce that @McIlroyRory will be joining me at @GolfMountJuliet in May!
#DDFIrishOpen #RolexSeries
https://t.co/zcbqQ6mrmx— Graeme McDowell (@Graeme_McDowell) February 28, 2020
In a statement today, four-time Major winner McIlroy expressed his excitement about taking part.
“I’m looking forward to it a lot.
“It’s a bit different going back for a May date as opposed to July, and at a parkland course at Mount Juliet.
"I’ve never played the course but got good memories – it was the first time I ever watched Tiger Woods play in person.
“My dad drove me down and we watched the WGC there and that was really cool, so it’ll be exciting to tee it up there myself and try to win a tournament there.
“I enjoyed hosting the event – it’s a privilege to host your national open.
"I would say to GMac, just try and prepare as best he can for the tournament and make sure he gets his work in before the week. You’ve got a lot going on, but I think everyone who hosts a tournament knows that.”
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