Rory McIlroy 'incredibly excited' to confirm Irish Open appearance

It's the second time the event will be held at Royal County Down, just an hour from McIlroy's home in Holywood. 

Rory McIlroy plays his second shot on 18th hole during the final round of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic golf tournament, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)

Rory McIlroy has confirmed he will play in this year's Amgen Irish Open at Royal County Down, scheduled for September 12-15.

It's the second time the event will be held at the Down venue, just an hour from McIlroy's home in Holywood. 

“Since making my first appearance at the Irish Open nearly 20 years ago, it has been such a special tournament to play in, but it will be doubly so for me this time round,” said McIlroy.

“I’m incredibly excited to have the opportunity play in this year’s Irish Open at a venue so close to home. Royal County Down is a fantastic venue and I still have some great memories from the 2007 Walker Cup.

“The crowds are always so supportive of all the Irish golfers taking part and the atmosphere is unlike any other we have at a golf tournament. Time and time again the fans prove that they are some of the best in the world and I can’t wait to see them out in support of us again.”

McIlroy has won the event once, at The K Club in 2016.

He will join fellow former winner, Shane Lowry in the event which this year features as part of the DP World Tour’s ‘Back 9’ - nine of the Tour’s most historic tournaments and national opens, running from August to October.

Lowry, meanwhile, hit sparkling form on the front nine at Torrey Pines to card an opening round 66 at the Farmers Insurance Open in San Diego which leaves him two shots off the lead.

Taiwan's Kevin Yu fired eight birdies as he took a one-shot lead in San Diego.

Yu carded a bogey-free 64 on the North Course, a birdie at the last edging him ahead of America's Patrick Cantlay and Japan's Ryo Hisatsune.

Lowry and England's Aaron Rai are among a group a further shot back after opening 66s, along with former Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama, Belgium's Thomas Detry and Alejandro Tosti of Argentina.

Nicolai Hojgaard, who finished seventh at the Dubai Desert Classic last week, and America's Nick Hardy were the best of those who started on the more difficult South Course - their 67s leaving them amid a large group on five-under-par.

Hojgaard's first start as a full-time member of the PGA Tour came despite jetlag and just nine holes on the North Course in practice.

"You've got to try to find a way," the Danish Ryder Cup star told the PGA Tour website. "I'll just push myself until we feel like the jetlag's gone."

"I think sometimes you can take advantage of not knowing the golf course and you're just thinking about your execution. I felt like that was the only thing I was doing today."