Lowry, McIlroy, Harrington and McDowell confirmed for Irish Open

With limited crowds, tickets go on sale this week

Rory McIlroy watches a shot from the rough on the 18th during day one of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Royal County Down Golf Club, Newcastle. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday May 28, 2015. See PA story GOLF Irish. Photo credit should read: Brian Lawless/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only. No commercial use. No false commercial association. No video emulation. No manipulation of images.

Major winners Rory McIlroy, Pádraig Harrington, Shane Lowry and Graeme McDowellhave all been confirmed to play at this year’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open.

McIlroy, who won the tournament in 2016 and was previously its host, hasn’t competed in the last two events, but says he is “really excited” to take part at Mount Juliet, Co. Kilkenny, on 1 July.