Tom McKibbin is eagerly anticipating his chance to compete on home ground at this year’s Amgen Irish Open, which returns to the Royal County Down Golf Club from September 12-15. This event marks the first time the tournament will be held in Newcastle since 2015, and it will be McKibbin’s third appearance at Ireland’s national open.
Joining him in the lineup are fellow Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy, along with Irish golf luminaries Pádraig Harrington, Shane Lowry, and SĂ©amus Power, all set to play on one of the world’s top-rated golf courses.
McKibbin, who last year became the youngest winner from the island of Ireland on the DP World Tour since McIlroy by winning the Porsche European Open, is particularly excited about this event. He first played in the Irish Open as an amateur in 2020 at Galgorm Castle Golf Club, a tournament held without spectators due to the pandemic.
Reflecting on the upcoming tournament, McKibbin expressed his enthusiasm, “Learning that Royal County Down was chosen as the venue for the 2024 Amgen Irish Open instantly heightened my anticipation. It’s a phenomenal course, and its reputation is well deserved. Although my first appearance was special, playing without the fans wasn’t the same. I’m looking forward to feeling the full support of the home crowd this year.”
He added, “Last year’s experience at The K Club was fantastic, and Irish fans are truly in a league of their own. I’m counting down the days until we kick off what promises to be an unforgettable week in September.”
Last year, Vincent Norrman became the first Swedish golfer in over two decades to win the Irish Open, following a remarkable final round at The K Club that led him to victory by a single stroke. This win marked Norrman’s second DP World Tour victory within just six starts globally.
