*Paul McGinley & Ian Poulter in Ryder Cup action. Photograph: Getty Images
Ian Poulter will make his first appearance in the Republic of Ireland in 13 years when he tees off at Lahinch Golf Club for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open this July.
Dubbed the ‘Postman’ to many fans because he always delivers at The Ryder Cup, the Englishman was in contention for a maiden Major Championship title at the recent Masters Tournament where Tiger Woods eventually emerged victorious.
Poulter’s commitment means that four of the current top five in the Race to Dubai Rankings presented by Rolex, alongside Shane Lowry, Justin Harding and Louis Oosthuizen, will play in a star-studded field at the famous County Clare links from July 4-7.
Major winner Danny Willett and former World Number One Lee Westwood have also been confirmed, meaning the last three winners of Rolex Series events will play in the historic national open – Lowry is the most recent following his win in Abu Dhabi in January.
Poulter last played the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open in 2017 at Portstewart Golf Club in Northern Ireland, while his last appearance in the Republic of Ireland came in 2006, but this will mark his first appearance in the southern province of Munster since 2002 at Fota Island in Cork.
“I’m very much looking forward to playing the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open. It’s been a while and to play a run of tournaments leading up to The Open Championship is going to be great,” Poulter said.
“Lahinch will be a good test, a great links golf course – I haven’t played it yet but Ireland has some of the world’s best golf courses. The Irish are great fans and always have been great fans. They’re true followers of golf, they’re respectful, they know good shots especially in tough conditions and I expect them to be as good as they always are.
“It’s going to be a great tournament with Paul McGinley supporting the event. Paul’s a good friend of mine, I’ve known him now for a very long time as a friend and obviously as a Ryder Cup Captain. He’s a guy that I really respect.”
The 2020 Ryder Cup Captain Padraig Harrington, his fellow Major champion Graeme McDowell and defending champion Russell Knox have also confirmed their participation.
Lahinch Golf Club, perched on the famous Wild Atlantic Way coast of Ireland, is expected to provide a festival atmosphere unlike any other, with the popular tourist village of Lahinch on the doorstep of the famous links course.
The 2018 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open provided one of the most dramatic finales in the tournament’s 91-year history, as Knox holed a 40-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole to clinch a place in a play-off alongside New Zealander Ryan Fox.
They said they needed a new postman in Lahinch, think I can do the job? ?#DDFIrishOpen pic.twitter.com/QznSYw6f9C
— Ian Poulter (@IanJamesPoulter) April 24, 2019
