Mount Juliet Estate, the luxury five-star resort in County Kilkenny, has been confirmed as the host venue for the 2020 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open.
The tournament will be held from May 27th to 31st next year, with Rory McIlroy set to be part of the field.
It is the second Rolex Series event of next year's Race to Dubai. Spain's Jon Rahm is set to defend his title in Thomastown.
Mount Juliet hosted the tournament between 1993 and 1995 and two World Golf Championship events in 2002 and 2004.
It’s official 🙌🏼 @mountjuliet #DDFIrishOpen
🎫 Get your 2020 tickets now: https://t.co/ltHqrTm6Aq pic.twitter.com/5bXu6s8Yql— Horizon Irish Open (@IrishOpen_) October 29, 2019
McIlroy hosted the tournament for four consecutive years before passing it on to former Ryder Cup-winning captain Paul McGinley last year.
The early bird ticket details have been revealed - Children under 12 years of age are entitled to free entry when accompanied by an adult.
Single-day junior tickets for those between the ages of 12 and 17 are €10 (€25 for a season ticket) while students aged between 18 and 24 with valid student cards, and over 65's, can avail of a concession ticket - €15 for Thursday and Friday, €20 for Saturday and Sunday (€60 for a season).
Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of Dubai Duty Free, said on the announcement that it was great for tourism.
“We are very pleased that the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open will be held at the Mount Juliet Estate in 2020. The estate, on the outskirts of Kilkenny, will be an easily accessible and exciting venue for both the players and the fans.
“We are pleased with the growth of the tournament since Dubai Duty Free became involved in 2015 and the fact that it is now part of the Rolex Series with a prize fund of US$7 million. We also agree with the strategy, which both the European Tour and the previous hosts, Rory McIlroy and Paul McGinley have employed of moving the tournament around the island of Ireland to include north and south, links and parkland and this has been very successful.
“It has had a very positive effect on tourism and business in these regions which is a testament to the interest that the public have in this tournament. Mount Juliet Estate itself is a fantastic venue and is well known as an excellent ‘spectator course’ as it offers fans a second to none viewing experience.
“We are looking forward to coming to Kilkenny and are looking forward to working with the team at the European Tour and Mount Juliet.”
Damien Gaffney is the Director of Tetrarch, owners of the Mount Juliet Estate, and he says it's a special moment for everyone involved in the upkeep of the course.
“We are absolutely delighted that the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open will be returning to Mount Juliet Estate after a gap of 25 years.
“We made a commitment to the staff and to the members when we bought Mount Juliet Estate, that we would do our best to bring the tournament back. We've worked very closely with the European Tour in recent months and we're thrilled to be finally announced as hosts for the event.
“The Dubai Duty Free Irish Open is one of the great sporting events in the Irish calendar so it's a very special moment for Mount Juliet Estate, and a true testament to the superb condition of the Estate's facilities and the golf course in particular.”
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