Irish Open 2024: Team Europe stars return to DP World Tour action in Northern Ireland

Rory McIlroy is used to getting swarmed by fans wherever he goes.

The 69th staging of the Irish Open returns to Royal County Down for the fifth time in what promises to be a high-quality event on the DP World Tour.

The event has been on the calendar in some form or another since 1927, with a list of winners that range from Seve Ballesteros and Bernhard Langer to Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy, showcasing the prestige of the tournament throughout the years.

The Irish Open is the third event in the DPWT ‘Back 9’ swing which builds toward the business end of the season in November, where the playoffs begin to see who will be crowned Race to Dubai champion.

With the PGA Tour regular season coming to an end last week following the Tour Championship, the likes of Rory McIlroy and Robert MacIntyre are both in the field, along with fellow Ryder Cup stars Nicolai Hojgaard, Shane Lowry, and Team Europe captain Luke Donald.

Last year, Vincent Norrman claimed his first win on the DPWT by securing a one-shot victory over Hurly Long in a playoff at The K Club – host to the 2006 Ryder Cup.

Where is the Irish Open being played?

The world-beating Royal County Down takes center stage for 2024’s edition.

The par-71, 7,186-yard course is one of the most difficult courses to have held the Irish Open in recent years. Since Padraig Harrington won with a score of 5-under in 2007, only Royal County Down has reduced the winner to single digits under par – Soren Kjeldsen in 2015, finishing two-under.

The Championship Links is located against the backdrop of the mountains of Mourne, offering magnificent views for the players. They shouldn’t be distracted by the scenery, however, as the course is a tough test. Narrow fairways are surrounded by gorse, while fast greens ensure that approach play will have to be near perfect for anyone aiming to challenge this week.

The par-4 ninth is the course’s signature hole with its daunting tee shot to a fairway some 60ft below and 260 yards away. It will test even the best drivers of the ball, before an approach shot which will have to negotiate two bunkers in front of a raised green.

What is the format of the Irish Open?

The format of the Irish Open is a standard strokeplay event played over 72 holes with a cut after 36 holes (two rounds). The player with the lowest score over four rounds will win the tournament.

Who is in the field at the Irish Open?

Royal County Down has attracted a strong field for the 2024 Irish Open, headlined by four-time major winner Rory McIlroy. The 35-year-old who won the event in 2016 at the K Club will be joined by fellow Irishmen Padraig Harrington, Shane Lowry, Seamus Power, and Tom McKibbin.

Also in the field this week is Robert MacIntyre who bids to become the first player to win the Scottish and Irish Opens in the same year. Wins on both sides of the Atlantic have confirmed his status as one of the most improved players in the game.

Defending champion Vincent Norrman returns, aiming for back-to-back wins at the event, something which hasn’t been done since 1997.

The full field for the Irish Open can be found here.

How much will the winner of the Irish Open receive?

The prize fund for the Irish Open is nearly double that on offer at the Omega European Masters last week. The field will be battling it out for a prize fund of $6 million, with the winner taking home just over $1 million, 5,000 Race to Dubai points, and 1,500 Ryder Cup points.

Who has won the Irish Open?

How to watch the Irish Open?

Viewers in the UK can watch the Irish Open on Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Extra.

All times BST

Thursday, 12 September: Sky Sports Golf, 13.00

Friday, 13 September: Sky Sports Golf, 08.00

Saturday, 14 September: Sky Sports Golf, 12.00

Sunday, 15 September: Sky Sports Extra, 12.00

Viewers in the US can watch the Irish Open on the Golf Channel.

All times EDT

Thursday, 12 September: Golf Channel, 08.00

Friday, 13 September: Golf Channel, 06.00

Saturday, 14 September: Golf Channel, 03.00

Sunday, 15 September: Golf Channel, 03.00

Irish Open: Tee times and groupings

Tee times and groupings can be accessed here.

About the Author

Ross Kilvington – Contributing Golf News Writer

Ross Kilvington is a freelance writer from Scotland who currently writes previews for Today’s Golfer, covering events on the DP World, PGA, and LPGA tours along with the LIV Golf Series.

Ross holds a passionate interest in golf and tries to play as often as possible, although having two daughters under the age of 6 means his quest to break 80 will have to wait a little longer.

Despite first picking up a club aged 11, highlights are few and far between on the golf course.

An Eagle on the par-4 16th at Kinghorn is one that stands out (it doesn’t matter that it was only 290 yards).