Rafa Cabrera Bello has become the latest former Ryder Cup star to join the field for next month’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, when the Spaniard will be targeting a second career Rolex Series victory at Lahinch Golf Club.
The World Number 38 will join a star-studded field which includes his compatriot, the recently-announced Jon Rahm, on the west coast of Ireland for the second Rolex Series of the 2019 Race to Dubai, from July 4-7.
With just three weeks to go until Paul McGinley hosts the event on Lahinch’s famous Old Course, other golfers confirmed include Tommy Fleetwood, Padraig Harrington, Martin Kaymer, Shane Lowry, Graeme McDowell, Thorbjørn Olesen, Louis Oosthuizen, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Danny Willett.
Cabrera Bello has enjoyed some strong results on Irish soil and this year’s event, the second Rolex Series tournament of the 2019 Race to Dubai, will be his 11th consecutive appearance at the historic national open.
His best performance at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open came seven years ago at Royal Portrush, this year’s venue for the Open Championship when the 35 year old birdied three of the final four holes to make a late charge for victory but finished in a share of second behind winner Jamie Donaldson.
Based in Dubai, Bello has since enjoyed some of the best form of his career, making his Ryder Cup debut at Hazeltine in 2016 before claiming his biggest European Tour victory at the 2017 Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open.
“I have always enjoyed the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open and playing in front of the Irish crowds so I am really looking forward to going back,” said Cabrera Bello. “I love playing links golf courses and I have heard Lahinch is a true test of golf and with Paul McGinley as host, I am sure it is going to be great week. I have also heard it is a big surfing town so I’m hoping to get out and catch a few waves during the week”.
