THE STAR-STUDDED field for this month’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open continues to get better and better with 16 of the world’s top 50 players now confirmed for Royal County Down.
The tournament, which is this year hosted by Rory McIlroy’s foundation, takes place between 28-31 May and Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez is the latest big name to confirm his participation.
McIlroy’s association with the event has helped attract a galaxy of stars and the acquirement of a title sponsor for the first time in four years has seen the prize fund increase to €2.5 million.
Jimenez is one of a host of Ryder Cup notables who will be at the iconic links with Americans Rickie Fowler and Patrick Reed as well as Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia and Luke Donald among the 156 man field.
There will, as always, be a strong Irish contingent with Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke among the home favourites but the star attraction for the thousands of fans will surely be Jimenez’s unique warm-up routine.
The 51-year-old is currently in action at the Open de Espana and looks to be in fine form ahead of his trip to Ireland, as evidenced by this sweet hole-in-one during today’s second round.
It’s Jimenez’s ninth career ace and second of the season and it has fired him up the leader board and into contention. Any excuse to bring out the celebratory dance:
