Westlife’s Shane Filan and Irish hockey star Katie Mullan added to Amgen Irish Open Pro-Am line-up at Royal County Down this September

Royal County Down Golf Course

hey join a stellar line-up including RTE Late Late Show presenter Patrick Kielty, former rugby players Johnny Sexton and Tommy Bowe and actor James Nesbitt, who will all take to the course on September 11.

Northern Irish man Rory McIlroy will also tee it up at Royal County Down this September, where he will bid for a second Irish Open crown after claiming victory at The K Club in 2016.

Also joining Rory at the Amgen Irish Open is 2019 Open Championship winner Shane Lowry, three-time Major Champion Pádraig Harrington, two-time PGA TOUR winner Séamus Power and Northern Irishman Tom McKibbin, who will make his third appearance at the event. Further names are to be announced in the coming weeks.

Royal County Down will host the Amgen Irish Open for the second time in its history from September 11-15 as the island of Ireland’s national open returns to Newcastle for the first time since 2015.

McKibbin – who made his major debut at the recent US Open – said he can’t wait to tee-up on home soil for the event.

“When I heard Royal County Down was going to host the Amgen Irish Open in 2024, I knew it was an event I couldn’t wait to be a part of,” he added. “It’s an incredible golf course and once you’re out there you can understand why it’s rated so highly by so many.

“Obviously to make my Irish Open debut on home soil four years ago was very special, but it was a very different atmosphere without fans due to the pandemic. So I’m really excited to have the chance to play so close to home in front of some big crowds.

“I had a great experience at The K Club last year and fans from across Ireland are unlike any other we get the chance to play in front of. Everything is set for what should be a memorable week and I’m very excited to get there in September.”

First played in 1927, the Irish Open is one of the world’s most celebrated national opens, with an impressive list of former champions that includes Seve Ballesteros, Nick Faldo, Rory McIlroy, Pádraig Harrington, Shane Lowry, Colin Montgomerie, José María Olazábal, Bernhard Langer and Sam Torrance.