Dec 12,2024
Former champion Shane Lowry has confirmed he will play at next year's Amgen Irish Open at the K Club, Kildare.
Lowry, who made history when he won the title on his debut appearance as an amateur in 2009, will be making his 17th consecutive appearance in the tournament, which will be held from 4-7 September.
The Offaly man was the first amateur winner of the event and is the most recent player to win on the DP World Tour before turning professional.
"I say it all the time but the Irish fans truly are the best in the world," Lowry said.
"They are incredibly welcoming and respectful of all the golfers taking part in the tournament, not just those from Ireland."
The 37-year-old has placed inside the top-12 on his last three Irish Opens, finishing just two strokes behind Vincent Norrman in 2023 when it was held at the Kildare venue.
The 2006 Ryder Cup venue will also host the 2027 tournament.
Rasmus Hojgaard will look to defend his title next year after a late flurry denied Rory McIlroy at Royal County Down in September.
The four-time major winner looked on course to regain the title he won in 2016 when he led by two shots on home soil, but while Hojgaard completed a superb closing 65 with four birdies in the last five holes, McIlroy crucially bogeyed the 17th and then agonisingly missed an eagle putt on the 18th which would have forced a play-off.
The Dane took home the winner’s cheque for just over €920,000 with an overall prize fund of €6 million.
