The European Tour announced that Portstewart Golf Club (pictured) in Portstewart, Northern Ireland, will host the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open next season on July 6-9.
That means three consecutive Euro Tour events will be played on links-style courses, with the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open at Dundonald Links the following week leading into the 146th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.
“I’m really excited about it,” said Rory McIlroy, who won the Irish Open in May at the K Club. “We’ve been working hard with the European Tour over the last couple years to try to find suitable venues and a suitable date for the Irish Open.
“To get that date right before the Scottish is huge. To play a round of links golf leading into the Open, hopefully we can attract some marquee names to come over and play. With it being at the start of July, hopefully, fingers crossed, we can get some decent weather.
“Guys will come over early to get links preparation, so the Irish Open’s date is great for that.”
McIlroy’s charitable foundation hosts the Irish Open.
