After the remarkable success of the 2018 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open in July, next year’s tournament host Paul McGinley is already setting his targets high as he aims to make the 2019 edition of the Rolex Series event at Lahinch Golf Club one of the biggest in its long history.
The 2014 Ryder Cup Captain will become the first in a rotation of tournament hosts for the historic National Open, along with his fellow Irish golfing heroes Darren Clarke, Padraig Harrington, Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy, who has hosted the past four editions.
McGinley, famously meticulous and thorough in his preparations for his 2014 Ryder Cup victory at Gleneagles, is planning to apply the same creative and careful planning for his hosting of next year’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, which takes place from July 4-7, 2019.
With early bird tickets now on salehere, McGinley is expecting the local community and the whole country to get behind the event and is targeting sell-out crowds on one of Ireland’s most revered links golf course - nestled on County Clare’s stunning Atlantic coastline and a stone’s throw from some of Ireland’s most famous landmarks, including the Cliffs of Moher.
“The preparations for the 2019 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open are already well underway and I’m really excited about being involved in what promises to be a great week,” said McGinley, who has been victorious in each of the six Ryder Cups he has been involved in – three as a player, two as a Vice-Captain and one as Captain.
“Lahinch is one of Ireland’s great golfing venues, not just because of the golf course but also the town, which is right on the doorstep of the golf club and is always buzzing with life. That whole region on the west coast is just very special.
“Ballyliffin was incredible earlier this month - it was a marvellous event which the whole of Donegal should be proud of. Now I want to bring that feel-good factor to County Clare. I will be aiming to set the course up to make it perfect preparation for the players ahead of The Open in Portrush two weeks later and I think we will attract a world-class field. It promises to be a fantastic occasion.”
The 2018 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open provided one of the most dramatic finales in the tournament’s 91-year history, as Russell Knox holed a 40-foot birdie putt on the 72ndhole to clinch a place in a play-off alongside New Zealander Ryan Fox.
The Scot then sank an almost identical putt on the first play-off hole to send the huge Irish crowds into raptures and seal his maiden Rolex Series title.
With blazing sunshine and a star-studded field including the 2017 champion Jon Rahm and the 2016 winner McIlroy, a total of 94,239 people attended the event at Ballyliffin Golf Club.
Tickets for the 2019 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open are on sale atwww.dubaidutyfreeirishopen.comand special discount prices begin at €12 for Pro-Am Wednesday, with single tickets for Thursday or Friday costing €18 and day tickets for each weekend day costing €22 each. An adult season ticket, which covers five days of world class golf from Wednesday to Sunday, begins at a special price of just €65.
Children under 12 years of age are entitled to free entry when accompanied by an adult, day junior tickets for those between 12 and 17 years of age are €10 (€30 for a season ticket) while those aged between 18 and 21, as well as over 60s, can avail of a concession ticket - €15 for a day (€45 for a season).
Official Hospitality tickets are also available on the ticketing page, or alternatively contact the European Tour’s dedicated Hospitality Sales Team, who will be happy to answer any queries and discuss the various hospitality options, onhospitality@europeantour.comor +44 (0) 1344 840681.
