As part of the DP World Tour’s ‘Back 9’ series, the Irish Open carries big weight in the run-up to the season-ending Race to Dubai. It also sets the stage for the PGA Championship at Wentworth, which follows just a week later.
This is McIlroy’s 15th Irish Open appearance. His best moment came in 2016 when he lifted the trophy at the very same K Club. He’s had mixed fortunes since — including five missed cuts — but arrives fresh from a career-defining Masters win and recent victories at Pebble Beach and The Players. Last year he came agonisingly close, finishing a single shot behind Rasmus Højgaard at Royal County Down.
Cromwell Ct - Jun 25 - Rory McIlroy
There’s no shortage of star power. Shane Lowry returns to home turf, while veteran Padraig Harrington adds further Irish interest after scooping two senior major titles this summer. Five-time major winner Brooks Koepka makes his Irish Open debut, joined by Francesco Molinari, Danny Willett, Patrick Reed, Tyrrell Hatton, and Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald.
Local hopes rest on Tom McKibbin, eager to bounce back after disappointment at Portrush, and Matteo Manassero, who impressed with a third-place finish last year. Recent DP World Tour winners such as Marco Penge, Eugenio Chacarra and Thriston Lawrence will also fancy their chances.
Chonburi - December 14: Brooks Koepka Of Usa Player
First staged in 1927, this is the 70th edition of the Irish Open. It has been played on 21 different courses across the island, with a roll call of champions including Seve Ballesteros, Jon Rahm, Jose Maria Olazabal, Nick Faldo, and of course McIlroy himself.
Fort Lauderdale, Fl - Apr 6: Jon Rahm
07:30 – Padraig Harrington, Jhonattan Vegas, Adrien Saddier
07:50 – Shane Lowry, Brooks Koepka, Martin Couvra
08:00 – Rory McIlroy, Thriston Lawrence, Kristoffer Reitan
12:50 – Laurie Canter, Tom McKibbin, Haotong Li
13:00 – Seamus Power, Tyrrell Hatton, Marco Penge
13:10 – Luke Donald, Erik van Rooyen, Francesco Molinari
13:30 – Danny Willett, Max Kennedy, Patrick Reed
The winner will pocket a share of the $6m (€5.2m) purse along with 5,000 Race to Dubai points. The prize fund has grown dramatically since McIlroy threw his support behind the event in 2015, with Jon Rahm becoming the first player to earn over €1m for his win in 2017. Højgaard banked just over €920,000 for his victory last year.
The K Club is no stranger to the spotlight. This is the third time it has staged the Irish Open, with McIlroy in 2016 and Vincent Norman in 2023 the previous champions here. The Arnold Palmer–designed course is a par-72 measuring 7,413 yards, and it will also host the tournament again in 2027.
Beyond the Irish Open, the Kildare venue has serious pedigree: it was the stage for the 2006 Ryder Cup and previously held the European Open from 1995 to 2003.
