*Photograph: Martin Connolly Paul McGinley made the statement on Tuesday “if a dog sat down for five minutes he would have got painted”, though County Dog Warden, Frankie Coote may not like to hear it, there is truth in what McGinley said such was the amount of work undertaken by Clare County Council in preparation …
*Photograph: Martin Connolly ‘Golf is the second language of Lahinch’ and this relationship is set to leave it’s biggest benefit yet with an estimated €5m to be spent there during the course of The Dubai Duty Free Irish Open.
Accepting Paul McGinley’s request to play in the DDF Irish Open was an easy decision for Ian Poulter.
*Russell Knox celebrates winning the 2018 DDF Irish Open. Photograph: Getty Images Having grown up in North Scotland playing on similar courses to Lahinch, Russell Knox is hoping this will be enough to see him become only the seventh golfer to successfully defend The Irish Open title.
*Jon Rahm. Photograph: Getty Images Jon Rahm will be hoping to convert his impressive recent form into a third Rolex Series title and a second victory at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open when the Spaniard tees it up at Lahinch Golf Club for his third successive appearance at the historic national open.
*Lahinch Golf Club General Manager, Paddy Keane. Photograph: Martin Connolly Hosting The Dubai Duty Free Irish Open is huge for Lahinch Golf Club but according to Paddy Keane, “it goes far beyond that” regarding the benefits it will bring to the South West of Ireland.
*Lahinch Golf Club. Photograph: Martin Connolly Paul McGinley has been humbled and surprised by how the people of Clare have embraced The Dubai Duty Free Irish Open.
*Paul O’Connell. Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images Having The Dubai Duty Free Irish Open in Lahinch is the sporting event the Mid-West has needed according to former Irish rugby captain, Paul O’Connell.
*Russell Knox celebrates winning the 2018 DDF Irish Open. Photograph: Getty Images A limited number of weekend tickets remain for next week’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Lahinch Golf Club.
*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.