A view from the first tee towards the green on the eighth hole of the Strand Course at Portstewart Golf Club. David Cannon David Cannon

PORTSTEWART GOLF CLUB in Derry has been chosen as the venue for the 2017 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, which will be hosted once again by Rory McIlroy’s ‘Rory Foundation’.

Having won the Irish Open at The K Club back in May, McIlroy will defend his title at Portstewart, with the tournament moving to the 6-9 July slot in 2017 — a fortnight before the Open at Royal Birkdale.

“Portstewart is an excellent links course and one of Northern Ireland’s hidden gems, so it’s great news that we are taking the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open there next year,” McIlroy said.

“Winning at The K Club earlier this year was without doubt one of the highlights of my career, and I’m already looking forward to defending my title at Portstewart next July.”

Following on from Portrush in 2012 and Royal County Down in 2015, it will be the third time in six years that the Irish Open has been held in the north, with Portstewart hosting the tournament for the first time.

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