Five things to know – Dubai Duty Free Irish Open

The European Tour makes its first return to the Mount Juliet Estate since 1995 for this year’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open. Here are your five things to know.

The return to Mount Juliet

The Dubai Duty Free Irish Open is making its return to the Mount Juliet Estate this week for the first time since Sam Torrance’s victory in 1995.

This will mark the fourth occasion that the tournament has been staged at Mount Juliet, having also played host during Sir Nick Faldo’s victory in 1993 and Bernhard Langer’s win in 1994.

The tournament marks a fitting time to return to the championship course designed by Jack Nicklaus, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.

A history of Major winners

Shane Lowry became just the third amateur in European Tour history to win an event when he claimed the 2009 Irish Open trophy, and the 2018 Open Champion now counts himself among the impressive list of Major Champions to have lifted the title.

The event, which was first held in 1975, boasts a list of winners that includes Ben Crenshaw, Hubert Green, Seve Ballesteros, Ian Woosnam, José María Olazábal, Sir Nick Faldo, Sergio Garcia, Michael Campbell, Pádraig Harrington and Rory McIlroy.

Of those champions, Lowry, McIlroy and Harrington are all in the field this week, and are joined by fellow Major winners Graeme McDowell and Martin Kaymer - both of whom were recently appointed European Ryder Cup Vice Captains.

Catlin defends

John Catlin captured his second European Tour title in less than a month in impressive fashion last season, coming from behind with three birdies in his last four holes to complete a Sunday 64 and two stroke victory over Aaron Rai.

He returns this year to defend his title and will be hoping to recapture the winning form that led him to victory at the Austrian Open earlier this year, but heads to Ireland following three missed cuts in a row.

The American will get his opening round under way on Thursday afternoon alongside Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood.

Rory returns

Rory McIlroy is making his much-anticipated return to the Irish Open for the first time since 2018.

The four-time Major winner previously hosted the tournament for four years between 2015-2018, and notably captured a three shot victory during the 2016 edition.

McIlroy now arrives at Mount Juliet Estate with plenty of momentum, having recorded a win and five worldwide top tens this season - most recently a tie for seventh at the U.S. Open.

Open exemptions

With the final Major Championship of the year just around the corner, the race for a place in this year’s field in The Open Championship continues to heat up.

Final Qualifying finishes on Tuesday July 29, but there is still a chance for three players to earn their way into this year’s Open Championship at Royal St. George’s through their finish at Mount Juliet.

Under The Open Qualifying criteria, the first three players, not already exempt, who have made the cut in the 2021 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open will gain an exemption.