Rory McIlroy confirms he will compete at Irish Open

Rory McIlroy has confirmed he will compete at this September's Amgen Irish Open at Royal County Down.

The tournament returns to the course for the first time since 2015, when McIlroy missed the cut.

A year later, he won it at the K Club; it's his sole Irish Open triumph to date.

Last year he finished in a tie for 16th, with Swede Vincent Norrman holding off Germany's Hurly Long to lift the trophy.

It will be another homecoming for McIlroy, who grew up in Holywood, less than an hour away from the 2024 venue.

"Since making my first appearance at the Irish Open nearly 20 years ago, it has been such a special tournament to play in, but it will be doubly so for me this time round," he said.

"I'm incredibly excited to have the opportunity play in this year’s Irish Open at a venue so close to home. Royal County Down is a fantastic venue and I still have some great memories from the 2007 Walker Cup [when he played for Great Britain & Ireland against the USA, who shaded victory].

"The crowds are always so supportive of all the Irish golfers taking part and the atmosphere is unlike any other we have at a golf tournament. Time and time again the fans prove that they are some of the best in the world and I can’t wait to see them out in support of us again."

Last Sunday McIlroy hit a closing 71 to retain his Hero Dubai Desert Classic title. It was his first tournament victory since July's Genesis Scottish Open triumph.