Rory McIlroy has confirmed his participation at the Turkish Airlines Open in October.
The four-time Major winner will take his place in the field for the third instalment of the showpiece tournament, now a key part of The European Tour’s season-ending Final Series, in Belek.
McIlroy’s tournament play was temporarily put on hold by an ankle injury but his appearance at the Turkish Airlines Open at the Montgomerie Maxx Royal shows his determination to remain competitive and chase titles late in the season.
The Northern Irishman, enjoying a tussle with Jordan Spieth for the World Number One spot, will be determined to make up for lost time when he tees it up alongside a world-class field, with crucial Race to Dubai points at stake.
McIlroy, who played at the Turkish Airlines World Golf Final, the predecessor to the Turkish Airlines Open, in 2012, said: “Now that I’m fit again and playing solid golf, I’m looking to finishing the year strongly, so Turkey will be a key tournament for me.
“I didn’t perform my best here in 2012, so had the weekend off to relax. It’s a really great holiday destination with a wonderful atmosphere but this time I’m hoping to be right in the running come Sunday as this it’s a tournament I would really love to win.
“Three years ago I was really impressed with the passion for golf in Turkey and I know it’s a sport that is growing all the time there.
“I know there’ll be a great buzz around the tournament and, with The Race to Dubai heading towards a climax, it will be an exciting week.”
Turkish Golf Federation President Ahmet Ağaoğlu said: “It is an honour to have Rory McIlroy competing in Turkey once again.
“This is part of my vision to grow the great sport of golf in Turkey. We had Tiger Woods at the first tournament in 2013, Sergio Garcia last year and now Rory in the third edition. Golf in Turkey continues to have a bigger and bigger influence on the global stage.”
Dr Ali Genc, Head of Media Relations at Turkish Airlines believes that McIlroy’s presence in Belek shows the growing strength of the tournament.
He said: “Turkish Airlines is delighted to be welcoming Rory McIlroy back to Turkey to sample our hospitality once again and we are proud to have one of the sport’s icons as part of an outstanding field.
“We have been on a journey with the Turkish Golf Federation to promote golf, increasing our golf portfolio year on year, and this is another wonderful chapter for us.
“After the success of the previous two years, we are confident that this seasons’ tournament will be better than ever.”
Victor Dubuisson and Brooks Koepka are the previous winners of a tournament that has been brought forward due to Antalya hosting the G20 summit.
The Turkish Airlines Open takes place between October 29 and November 1, with 78 players competing for a prize fund of $7 million.
