GOLFING SUPERSTAR and World Number 1 Rory Mcllroy has said that he is looking forward to playing in next year's Irish Open.
The Hollywood native missed this year's event in Kilkenny's Mount Juliet Estate but will now return to the K Club in 2023.
McIlroy won the event back in 2016 at the Kildare golf course, producing a stunning birdie-par-eagle finish to win the open by three strokes.
After several up and down years in golf this year has been vastly different for McIlroy.
McIlroy has won the Canadian Open, Tour Championship and CJ Cup in an impressive 2022.
The world No 1 also topped the FedEx Cup standings and DP World Tour rankings in the same year for the first time in his career.
Announcing... @McIlroyRory 🔥🔥🔥
World Number One and reigning Race to Dubai champion will return to the site of his first professional victory on Irish soil in 2023 at @thekclub 😁 #HorizonIrishOpen☘️— Horizon Irish Open (@IrishOpen_) December 6, 2022
The four-time major winner said today: "The Irish Open is a tournament that I grew up not just watching on TV but attending as a kid, seeing all my favourite players there over the years.
“It’s always been such a well-supported event. I’ve had my fair share of support and great memories at that tournament and going back to The K Club, it’s where I’ve had the most success and I’m obviously excited to get back there.
"The atmosphere was electric during that final round in 2016 and I’m looking forward to"
First played in 1927, the Irish Open is one of the world's most famous national opens, with a list of former champions that includes Seve Ballesteros, Sir Nick Faldo, Padraig Harrington, Colin Montgomerie, Jose María Olazabal and Jon Rahm having won the event.
The Irish Open will take place from September 7-10 next year and will be just weeks before the Ryder Cup in Rome.
It will also take place in 2025 and 2027
