Ian Mallon: Why K Club will pay up to €20m to host the Irish Open

SPECIAL K: Padraig Harrington plays his approach shot to the 18th hole during the Wednesday Pro-Am of the Horizon Irish Open at The K Club. Picture: Cian O'Regan.

THIS week, the K Club hosts the first of three Horizon Irish Open golf championships over the next five years — a tournament every other year up to the 2027 Ryder Cup.

The Irish Open is now the joint fifth most valuable event on the DP World Tour schedule – outside of non-Rolex Series, Major Championship or WGC events – with a $6m prize purse.