Golf: Boost for Irish Open as Dubai extends sponsorship deal

The continuing development of the Irish Open has been given a huge boost by Dubai Duty Free’s agreement with the European Tour to extend its title sponsorship of the tournament.

The Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, hosted by the Rory Foundation, has seen a commitment from its title sponsor since 2015 to continue its backing for two years from 2019, with an option to extend it for two more years to 2022. Dubai Duty Free marketing director Sinead El Sibai made the announcement yesterday at Ballyliffin Golf Club, which will host the event on July 5-8, the first time the event has been staged in Donegal.

The airport retailer’s partnership with the tournament and the Rory Foundation has seen the Irish Open go from strength-to-strength, with four-time major winner Rory McIlroy as its host, the prize fund rising from €2m at Royal County Down in 2015 to US$7m (€5.9m) following its inauguration for last season as one of the European Tour’s eight Rolex Series events.