Golf: Padraig Harrington targets Galgorm for comeback

Dubliner targets a second win in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open from September 24-27

Dubai: Padraig Harrington will make his first competitive appearance in seven months when the three-time Major winner targets a second victory in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Galgorm Castle Golf Club from September 24-27.

The 49-year-old was due to be captaining the European Ryder Cup team at Whistling Straits in the United States in what is now the week of his home open, and the postponement of golf’s greatest team event to 2021 means he will instead take to Galgorm Castle Golf Club for the first time.

Harrington last played on the European Tour at January’s Omega Dubai Desert Classic, while his last competitive appearance came at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March, before a knee injury and the COVID-19 pandemic curtailed his season.

The Dubliner is excited to return to the island of Ireland’s national open, which he famously won in 2007 prior to an incredible winning streak which yielded three Major titles in two years.

“I’m really looking forward to returning to competitive golf at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open,” Harrington said.

“It’s obviously a tournament which holds a very special place in my heart and I guess it’s a nice coincidence that it falls on the week that was originally scheduled for The 2020 Ryder Cup. It has been a long time off for me so I’m not sure what to expect, especially without the home fans who always spur me on, but I’m excited to get the competitive juices flowing and hopefully put on a good performance for all the fans watching on television,” he added.

Harrington will be joined by reigning Open Champion Shane Lowry, who confirmed his participation in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open last week, as he makes a return to Northern Irish soil 14 months after his famous six-stroke win over England’s Tommy Fleetwood at Royal Portrush Golf Club.

The 33-year-old lifted the Claret Jug in front of his home fans last year and will arrive at Galgorm Castle Golf Club in search of a second title in his home open, which will this year take place without general spectators in line with the European Tour’s medical health strategy and Public Health Agency guidance.

It will be the fourth time in nine years that Northern Ireland hosts the historic event, and the first time it will be played at Galgorm Castle. The Antrim venue has played host to successful Challenge Tour events for each of the past eight years, the most recent of which took place last week.

In 2012, Northern Ireland hosted the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open for the first time in 59 years at Royal Portrush. Royal County Down went on to welcome the event for the first time in 2015, while Portstewart Golf Club hosted in 2017.