*Niall Horan. Photograph: Getty Images
Irish pop giant, Niall Horan has been confirmed to lead the stellar line-up for next week’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open Pro-Am.
Singer/song-writer Niall who rose to fame as a member of the very popular One Direction will play alongside impressionist and fellow Westmeath man Conor Moore plus actor James Nesbitt.
Horan, who counts tournament host Paul McGinley as a friend, will play on the eve of the historic national open for the first time since 2016 when he tees it up at Lahinch Golf Club alongside Moore of Conor’s Sketches and Nesbitt best known for his roles in TV drama Cold Feet and the blockbuster Hobbit Trilogy.
They will be joined next Wednesday, July 4, at the world-renowned Co Clare links by two-time European Tour winner Guido Migliozzi, who is managed by Horan’s golf management agency Modest! Golf.
An excited Horan said on Wednesday afternoon, “I can’t wait to come back home to Ireland for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open. I’m looking forward to supporting my good friend Paul McGinley and seeing some of the Modest! Golf players in action.”
McGinley felt the Slow Hands singer would be a “fantastic addition”. “I am thrilled that Niall will be coming to Lahinch for what is shaping up to be a memorable week at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open. He is a fantastic addition to a Pro-Am line-up which already features some of Ireland’s best-loved celebrities and sports stars. We want this to be a festival of golf and entertainment for people of all age groups and Niall certainly transcends the generations with regard to his popularity here in Ireland and around the world.”
A host of Irish sporting legends have already been announced for the Pro-Am line-up, including rugby heroes Paul O’Connell and Keith Wood, jockeys AP McCoy and Ruby Walsh, inter-county hurlers including our own Shane O’Donnell, Joe Canning of Galway and Limerick’s Cian Lynch.
Former Clare hurling manager and current Wexford boss Davy Fitzgerald will also play, as will Kerry football star Kieran Donaghy and Dermot Whelan Today FM’s co-host of the popular Dermot & Dave show and himself a Lahinch Golf Club member.
James Sugrue, the recent Amateur Champion from Mallow Golf Club in County Cork, has also been extended an invite to the Pro-Am after last week becoming the 11th Irishman to win the famous championship – earning a place in next month’s Open Championship and the 2020 Masters Tournament in the process.
Horan’s fellow Irish popstars Keith Duffy – formerly of BoyZone – and former Westlife singer Brian McFadden will also tee it up at Lahinch.
