The Dubai Duty Free Irish Open is set to return to Northern Ireland in 2021 when Portstewart Golf Club in County Derry hosts the European Tour event for the second time in four years.
The news was announced at the club’s annual general meeting on November 28. Portstewart’s members were told that discussions between the European Tour and the club resulted in an agreement being finalised last week, although the Tour has yet to make a formal announcement.
Portstewart hosted the tournament in 2017, when Spaniard Jon Rahm clinched the first of his two Irish Open victories in front over crowds of over 80,000 for the week.
The 2020 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open will take place Mount Juliet from May 28-31. Part of the Rolex Series, it will have a prize fund of $7 million.
Both the 2020 and 2021 events will be hosted by Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell, who succeeds Rory McIlroy and, latterly, Paul McGinley, in the headline role.
“It’s a huge privilege to have the opportunity to host the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open in both 2020 and 2021,” said McDowell, 40, who hails from Portrush. “The event has gone from strength to strength over the last few years with the support of Dubai Duty Free and the efforts of Rory and Paul as hosts, alongside everybody at the European Tour. I’m really looking forward to taking on that responsibility over the next two years and adding to the history of this great tournament, which has become a global spectacle that Irish golf fans can be proud of.”