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Jon Rahm was crowned the champion of the 2019 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open in Lahinch Golf Club, following a thrilling final day of action at the stunning Co. Clare venue. The Spaniard shot a 62, much to the excitement of the 20,477 sell out crowd who attended on final day. A total of 86,793 spectators attended the exciting tournament over the five-day event which was hosted by Paul McGinley.
This is the fifth year that Dubai Duty Free has been the title sponsor of Ireland’s biggest sporting event, and the world’s largest airport retailer have committed to backing the tournament until 2022. Executive Vice Chairman & CEO of Dubai Duty Free, Colm McLoughlin, alongside his wife Breeda and the Senior Vice President of Marketing at Dubai Duty Free, Sinead El Sibai, hosted 60 guests each day in their exclusive Dubai Duty Free VIP Chalet which overlooked the 18th green.
Speaking after the final presentation was made on the 18th green Executive Vice Chairman & CEO of Dubai Duty Free, Colm McLoughlin, said; 'That was another fantastic edition of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, and Jon Rahm is a worthy winner. I would like to thank the people of Co. Clare for their warmth, hospitality and engagement in this tournament which we are delighted to call The Dubai Duty Free Irish Open. This has been a wonderful week of sport, festivity and fun, there were massive crowds and a fantastic atmosphere both at the golf and in the village. Coming to this part of the world is like a homecoming for our operation as Shannon Duty Free was the very first Duty Free in the world, so County Clare has a very special place in our hearts. I would also like to thank and congratulate Paul McGinley, Lahinch Golf Club, the European Tour, Clare County Council, the local community and all who worked so hard and partnered with us to make this tournament so special.'
The 2019 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open got off to a spectacular start on Wednesday (3rd July) as stars of the celebrity and sporting world played in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open Pro-Am competition which kicked off the tournament. A total of 50 teams played the stunning Lahinch Golf Course, in Co. Clare. Well-known faces spotted on the course were Niall Horan, former Taoiseach Enda Kenny, actor James Nesbitt, former Boyzone star, Keith Duffy and Brian McFadden formerly of Westlife. Sports stars who played included All Ireland winning Limerick hurler, Cian Lynch, Kerry footballers Tomás Ó Sé and Kieran Donaghy, Clare hurler, Shane O’Donnell, Joe Canning, Davy Fitzgerald, Olympic silver medallist, John Treacy, rugby players Paul O’Connell, Shane Byrne, Keith Wood, and Luke Fitzgerald, and horse racing legends Ruby Walsh and AP McCoy.
Dubai Duty Free also hosted several ancillary events throughout the week. The airport retailer invested heavily in flags and bunting for traders and community organisations around Lahinch to enter a Best Dressed Window Competition in a bid to support and engage with the local communities and businesses in and around Lahinch and to help create a truly festive atmosphere surrounding this exciting tournament. A total prize fund of €3,000 was put in place by Dubai Duty Free for the top three entrants with Murphy’s Total Health Pharmacy, Ennistymon being crowned the overall winners, receiving €1,500 and full corporate hospitality, courtesy of Dubai Duty Free.
Interaction with the local community is also central to all Dubai Duty Free’s sponsorships and to that end, Dubai Duty Free Irish Open Golf Ambassador and Irish golfing legend, Des Smyth joined the European Tour representatives to visit schools in the local area where they brought the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open Trophy with them for school children to see. Des Smyth also invited members of the public to ‘Beat the Pro’ in a longest drive competition in the Tented Village where Dubai Duty Free had a promotional marquee, activation area and putting green.
Dubai Duty Free hosted a spectacular party in the private gardens of Moy House, Lahinch on the Friday night of Ireland’s national golfing tournament. Set in magnificent teepees, the stage was set for an incredible night of food, music and entertainment under the stars. Some of the tour’s top players attended the party including Jon Rahm, Tommy Fleetwood, Rafa Cabrera Bello, Shane Lowry, Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell, where they enjoyed a birds of prey display and even had the opportunity to meet some Irish Wolfhounds.
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