Scouting for Girls to bring curtain down at Irish Open

With local indie rock stars Two Door Cinema Club already teed up for a special homecoming performance at the event’s opening ceremony on Wednesday, July 5, a festival of golf and entertainment is in store for sports and music fans of all ages.

As part of the Rolex Series, with an increased prize fund of US$7 million, this is expected to be the biggest Dubai Duty Free Irish Open in the tournament’s 90-year history.

As well as watching Rory McIlroy defend his title for the first time against a growing field of the world’s best golfers - including Justin Rose, Hideki Matsuyama, Jon Rahm, Shane Lowry and Rafa Cabrera Bello – spectators will also be treated to top class line-up of local and international music and entertainment.

A showstage in the Championship Village will play host to Two Door Cinema Club and Scouting For Girls, as well as a number of local singers and musicians including acoustic artists Jack McNaul from Coleraine, Ricky Lorimer from Portstewart and Triona from Downpatrick.

Belfast-based jazz musician and producer Rick Swan will also take to the stage on the evening of Friday, July 7 while The Groove Robbers, a popular four-piece band from the North Coast, will perform their energetic live show featuring music covering many decades on the evening of Saturday, July 8.

In addition, fans will also have an opportunity to listen to the thoughts of the players with a number of Q&As lined up.

Simon Alliss, championship director, commented: “This event just keeps on getting bigger and bigger and we are thrilled to now add Scouting For Girls to our line-up of top class entertainment at this year’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open hosted by the Rory Foundation.

“Along with Two Door Cinema Club and the brilliant local acts that we have lined up throughout the event, we are all looking forward to a really wonderful festival of golf and entertainment for sports fans, music fans and families.

“To be able to watch the world’s best golfers perform on a glorious links course and see all of these bands over a period of six days for just £100 for a season ticket – with free entry for kids – really is unbeatable value for money.”

Tickets are on sale at www.dubaidutyfreeirishopen.com and begin at £15 for practice day Tuesday and just £20 for Pro-Am Wednesday, which includes the opening ceremony.