Lucas Herbert returns to Mount Juliet Estate this week to defend his title at the Horizon Irish Open, one of the most storied events on the DP World Tour. Here are your five things to know.
Ryder Cup stars lead home charge
Shane Lowry is sure to attract bumper crowds as makes his first appearance on home soil since his Ryder Cup debut last year. The 35-year-old created some of the most memorable scenes in Tour history back in 2009 when he won this event as an amateur and continued to thrill on the island of Ireland when he lifted the Claret Jug at Royal Portrush in 2019. His Ryder Cup skipper and fellow Major Champion Pádraig Harrington, fresh off of his first Senior Major victory at last week's U.S. Senior Open, also tees it up this week, as does another in-form Irishman, Séamus Power, as well as international stars Herbert, Tyrrell Hatton and Thomas Pieters.
G4D Tour back in town
Another home hero looking to make a splash this week is World Ranking for Golfers with Disability (WR4GD) Number One Brendan Lawlor as the third G4D event of the season takes place in Kilkenny. World Number Two Kipp Popert won the first two but, alongside Lawlor, there are eight more of the finest golfers with disability vying for the title this week. On top of that, EDGA (European Disabled Golf Association) are also putting on a clinic for some local players to help develop the next generation of disabled golf superstars.
Fitzpatrick makes first steps into professional ranks
The name Fitzpatrick will forever be etched into golfing history after Matt won the U.S. Open earlier this month but this week attention turns to younger brother Alex. Matt made his own professional debut at this event in 2014 and now Alex follows the same path, having previously teed it up in two DP World Tour events as an amateur. The two-time Walker Cup player had some limelight at Brookline as he celebrated his brother's victory but now he will be looking to take centre stage.
Open places up for grabs
The 150th Open Championship at St Andrews gets ever nearer and three places in the field are available at this week's event via the Qualifying Series. The top three players not already exempt who make the weekend will secure their place at the milestone Major Championship in the Home of Golf. The Joburg Open and Dutch Open have already seen six players qualify, with three more spots also available at next week's Genesis Scottish Open.
We are delighted to announce that Make-A-Wish Ireland will be the Official Charity of the #HorizonIrishOpen until 2027 ☘️
— Make-A-Wish Ireland (@MakeAWish_ie) May 10, 2022
The deal will see an annual fundraising drive with @HorizonNews promising to match donations raised on-site at @mountjuliet👏 pic.twitter.com/ib8D6rNj7B
Wishing for birdies
The 18th this week has been designated as the Birdies for Wishes hole, with every birdie at the last during tournament play resulting in a €500 donation to Make-A-Wish Ireland, the official charity of the Horizon Irish Open. Make-A-Wish Ireland grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions and if spectators wish to make their own contribution, there will be donation points spread across Mount Juliet Estate.
