Dubai Duty Free will be the title sponsor of the 2015 Irish Open, hosted by The Rory Foundation, according to GULF NEWS. Taking place at Royal County Down Golf Club from May 28-31, the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open will see World No. 1 golfer Rory McIlroy "play the role of tournament host on behalf of his charitable foundation." McIlroy is "set to be joined by" Rickie Fowler, Ernie Els, Sergio García and Lee Westwood. Dubai Duty Free is "already associated with The European Tour as sponsors of the DP World Tour Championship and the Omega Dubai Desert Classic" (GULF NEWS, 3/15). In Belfast, Steven Beacom reported McIlroy's "pulling power knows no bounds." McIlroy "revealed his influence has helped bag the tournament and its first title sponsor since 2010." Having a company such as Dubai Duty Free "on board won't just add weight to the event, it'll mean more prize money added to last year's €2m pot." There is a sense, though, that the 2015 Irish Open "will be the best one yet." That confidence comes from the "work being put in behind the scenes by McIlroy." European Tour CEO George O'Grady said, "If we didn't announce one more player we would still have a great field" (BELFAST TELEGRAPH, 3/14).
