SHANE Lowry will make his first appearance on home soil since claiming his maiden Major title at the 2019 Open Championship, as he seeks a second Irish Open title, in May.
The World No. 16 will target a second Rolex Series title, when Mount Juliet Estate hosts the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open on May 28-31, 2020.
The Offaly player is expected to receive a hero’s welcome at Mount Juliet in May – where Saudi International winner Graeme McDowell assumes the mantle as tournament host.
Lowry will be aiming to become only the second Irishman to win the island of Ireland’s national open on multiple occasions, after Harry Bradshaw (1947 and 1949).
The 32-year-old lifted the Claret Jug in front of the delirious home crowds at Royal Portrush Golf Club, in July.
His fist Major confirmed his status as an Irish sporting legend. It was Lowry’s second victory of a career-defining season, which also included a maiden Rolex Series title at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship earlier in the year.
“I can’t wait to tee it up in front of my home crowds at Mount Juliet in May,” said Lowry, who famously won his home open as an amateur in 2009.
“It’s always such an honour to play in front of the Irish fans and they have always been so supportive of me.
“They played such a massive part in my win at Portrush last July, so teeing up as Open champion at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open will be a great moment.
“With Graeme hosting the event – I know he’s keen to build on the momentum in Irish golf at the moment – and the fact it will be the May Bank Holiday weekend in Ireland, I think it’s going to make for an incredible festival atmosphere at Mount Juliet, much like Lahinch last year.
“I am honestly so excited for it,” said Shane, who was one of the first players to greet McDowell as he reached the scorer’s hut at the Royal Greens & Country Club, after his superb Saudia Arabian triumph, on Sunday.
Lowry joins World No. 3 Jon Rahm as the second superstar to be officially confirmed for the 2020 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, where the Spanish talent will defend his title.
Mount Juliet Estate already boasts a prestigious list of winners after a three-year stint of hosting the event – with Sir Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer and Sam Torrance winning there in 1993, 1994 and 1995 respectively.
And Rahm will be hoping to join another prestigious list this May as he seeks his third Irish Open win in four years, having picked up his first at Portstewart, in Northern Ireland, in 2017.
Mount Juliet’s luxury five-star resort in Kilkenny also hosted Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf in 1997, a challenge match between Tom Watson and Fred Couples.
It was won by the latter, and was also the venue for the WGC-American Express Championship in 2002 and 2004 – won by Tiger Woods and Ernie Els respectively.
Early bird tickets offer cheaper prices for fans heading to Irish Open in late May
EARLY bird ticket prices for the 2020 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open begin at €13 for the Wednesday pro-am day, with Thursday and Friday day tickets available for a special price of €23.
Saturday and Sunday tickets beginning at €27. Fans can enjoy five days of world-class golf and entertainment for only €83 if they purchase their early bird season tickets before March 3.
Children under 12 years of age are entitled to free entry when accompanied by an adult.
Day junior tickets for those between 12 and 17 years of age are €10 (€25 for a season ticket) while students aged between 18 and 24 with valid student cards, and over 65s, can avail themselves of a discounted ticket.
They cost €15 for Thursday and Friday, €20 for Saturday and Sunday (€60 for a season). Parking access can be purchased for €5 per day, or €10 for a season parking ticket which covers all five days.
The only official sales channel to purchase tickets for this year’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open is via the ticketing platform Eventbrite.
The resale of Dubai Duty Free Irish Open tickets on unofficial platforms contravenes the European Tour’s ticket terms and conditions and such sales render the ticket void.
Official hospitality tickets are also available on the ticketing page, or alternatively contact the European Tour’s dedicated hospitality sales team by calling (01344) 840681.