European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald will be joined by Ryan Fox and Billy Horschel at this year’s Amgen Irish Open, with the popular tournament returning to Royal County Down from September 12-15.
The former world number one will be competing in the National Open on the island of Ireland for the fifth time and will be joined by two members of the 2023 Ryder Cup-winning team, Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry, in Newcastle later this year.
“I am delighted to have the opportunity to return to Royal County Down,” said Donald. “We all had a great experience when the tournament was last held in 2015. It is a great golf course and a great test.
“I was really excited to return to the Irish Open last year. It was a real treat to play in front of the Irish fans and it will be great to feel that welcome and hospitality again in September.”
Horschel, who won the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup in 2014, was also a member of the U.S. team that won the Walker Cup at the world-renowned course in 2007, earning three points in four starts.
In 2021, he became the second American to win the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, and earlier this year he captured his eighth PGA Tour title at the Corales Punta Cana Championship. Last week, he finished runner-up in the 152nd Open at Royal Troon, a career-best finish in a major championship.
“My first experience playing in the Irish Open last year was truly unforgettable,” Horschel said. “The Irish crowd is so respectful and passionate, and it was a joy to play in front of them, especially when I played alongside Rory in the first two rounds.”
“When I heard the tournament was going to be held at Royal County Down, there was no way I was going to miss the chance to return to this wonderful venue. I have great memories of playing in the Walker Cup there and it will be great to be able to reminisce about that special week.”
Four-time DP World Tour champion Fox will make his eighth appearance at the event later this year. The New Zealander has an excellent record at the Irish Open, finishing tied for third last year, runner-up in 2022 and 2018, and fourth in 2017.
Fox also won the European Challenge Tour’s NI Open in 2016 and earned a spot on the DP World Tour the following season.
“I'm really looking forward to returning to the Amgen Irish Open,” Fox said. “I always enjoy playing this tournament. The crowds are great, the golf course is great and it's just a great week on tour.”
“I haven’t had the opportunity to play at Royal County Down Racecourse before, so I’m excited to experience it first-hand and see why it is so revered by so many.”
First held in 1927, the Irish Open is one of the world’s most prestigious national open tournaments and boasts an impressive list of former champions including Seve Ballesteros, Nick Faldo, Rory McIlroy, Padraig Harrington, Sean Lowry, Colin Montgomerie, José María Olazabal, Bernhard Langer and Sam Torrence.
General admission tickets are available for all four tournaments as well as the Celebrity Pro-Am on Wednesday, September 11th.
With just 50 days left until the Amgen Irish Open, tickets are selling out fast and fans are advised to purchase early to avoid disappointment. General admission tickets can be purchased via this link
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