The Dubai Duty Free Irish Open proved it is going from strength to strength as over a million euros was raised for the Rory Foundation at The K Club.
On the course, the action went right down to the wire with tournament host Rory McIlroy and Russell Knox taking the event to a dramatic climax as the Northern Irishman put a 253-yard approach to two feet on the last for a victory-clinching eagle.
Outside the ropes, the typically passionate Irish fans flocked to County Kildare despite some inclement weather to see an elite field battle it out and were rewarded with a home win.
The week began on Tuesday with over 2,000 fans heading to the Convention Centre in Dublin for 'An Evening With Rory' as the World Number Three talked golf and life with actor James Nesbitt and former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
The fans then turned up in incredible numbers to the golf, helping to raise money for children's charities Barrestown, Jack & Jill Foundation and LauraLynn Ireland's Children's Hospice.
The icing on the cake came with McIlroy's victory, with the 27 year old donating his winner's cheque of €666,660 to his Foundation, and the Northern Irishman was delighted with the success of the week.
"We've already raised over half a million euros going into today for the three chosen charities, and then all the winnings go towards that as well, so we've broken the million euro mark this week, which is absolutely incredible," he said.
I don't usually get emotional about golf or about wins, but this one, it means just a little bit more, because it's not just for myself. It's for a lot of other people - Rory McIlroy
"It's a day I'll not forget for a while."
Dubai Duty Free began their association with the Irish Open last season and are committed to it until 2018, with Executive Vice Chairman Colm McLoughlin certain the event will get even bigger and better.
"This has been a remarkable week, capped off by an incredible performance by our tournament host, Rory McIlroy," he said.
"We are thrilled to be part of this spectacular tournament, and look forward to continuing to work with our partners at the Rory Foundation, Rory McIlroy and the European Tour.
"Our aim is to make the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open one of the most exciting golf tournaments in the world, and this week will go a long way towards helping us achieve this ambition."
