Shane Lowry has confirmed that he will play in this year's Irish Open at The K Club.
The Offaly man joins Rory McIlroy and Seamus Power in the line-up for the event which runs from September 6-10.
2019 Open Champion Lowry, who finished in a share of 16th at the Masters Tournament last weekend, made headlines on his Irish Open debut in 2009 when he became the first amateur winner of the tournament, and just the third player to win on the DP World Tour before turning professional.
READ MORE: Shane Lowry Masters prize money as he picks up cheque for six-figure sum
Since his victory at County Louth, Lowry has gone on to win a further five times on the DP World Tour, including his Open Championship victory at Royal Portrush, a World Golf Championships title at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in 2015 and two Rolex Series titles, as well as making his debut Ryder Cup appearance at Whistling Straits in 2021.
Spectators are urged to purchase tickets in advance for the Irish Open as demand is high for the five-day festival of golf, with the tournament preceded by the Pro-Am on Wednesday September 6. Premium Experience and Ticket+ options are also available, with Ticket+ close to selling out on Sunday.
Having grown up in Clara, an hour away from The K Club, Lowry favourite cannot wait to tee it up so close to home in his national open, alongside Ryder Cup teammate and four-time Major winner McIlroy and Power, who is bidding for a Ryder Cup debut of his own at Marco Simone later this year.
“I’m really excited to tee it up in the Horizon Irish Open later this year,” said Lowry. “I’ve made no secret of how much this tournament means to me and the reception we get from the fans is unlike anywhere else.
“I still get goosebumps when I think of my victory in 2009 and a lot of that was down to the reaction I received on the 18th green. The fans are so supportive of all of the Irish golfers in the field and we love putting on a show for them. The K Club is a fantastic venue too, so I’m looking forward to getting back there.”
The island of Ireland’s national open will be played at The K Club for the first time since 2016, when McIlroy thrilled the home crowds as he claimed his first professional title on Irish soil, finishing eagle-par-birdie to win by three strokes.
This is also the first of three stagings of the Horizon Irish Open at The K Club, which will host the tournament in 2023, 2025 and 2027 as part of a multi-year agreement which will also see the European Challenge Tour’s Irish Challenge held there in the intervening years.
Last year, history was made when Adrian Meronk became the DP World Tour’s first winner from Poland when he claimed the title at Mount Juliet Estates. First played in 1927, the Irish Open is one of the world’ most famous national opens with a roll of honour that also includes Seve Ballesteros, Sir Nick Faldo, Colin Montgomerie, Pádraig Harrington, José María Olazábal and Jon Rahm.
Tickets for the 2023 Horizon Irish Open at The K Club can be purchased here.
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