Amgen Irish Open 2024 Preview Picks Analysis

Rory McIlroy leads a stellar field at the Irish Open at Royal County Down this week. The course will host the tournament for the second time and four-time major champion McIlroy is the star attraction.

He claimed his fifth Race to Dubai title last year and is on track to repeat the feat this season.

The Northern Irishman grew up in Holywood, less than an hour from the prestigious venue, and he will bid for a second Irish Open crown after claiming victory at The K Club in 2016.

"Since making my first appearance at the Irish Open nearly 20 years ago, it has been such a special tournament to play in, but it will be doubly so for me this time round," said McIlroy.

"I’m incredibly excited to have the opportunity play in this year’s Irish Open at a venue so close to home. Royal County Down is a fantastic venue and I still have some great memories from the 2007 Walker Cup. The crowds are always so supportive of all the Irish golfers taking part and the atmosphere is unlike any other we have at a golf tournament. Time and time again the fans prove that they are some of the best in the world and I can’t wait to see them out in support of us again."

McIlroy was runner-up to Tommy Fleetwood at the Dubai Invitational and then successfully defended the Dubai Desert Classic title, winning the tournament for a record fourth time.

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

He will be joined by fellow former Irish Open winner, major champion and Ryder Cup star Shane Lowry in the event which assumes a key position on the DP World Tour’s 2024 Global Schedule as part of the ‘Back 9’.

The ‘Back 9’ encompasses nine of the Tour’s most historic tournaments and national opens, running until October and will give members their final opportunities to secure their playing rights for 2025 and also advance to the season-ending DP World Tour Play-Offs.

Tom McKibbin will be making his third appearance in the island of Ireland’s national open when the popular event is held in Newcastle for the first time since 2015.

Last year, McKibbin became the youngest winner from the island of Ireland on the DP World Tour since McIlroy when he claimed the Porsche European Open title. He then went on to make his first appearance as a professional at the Irish Open later that season finishing T39 at The K Club.

The 21-year-old made his Irish Open debut as an amateur at Galgorm Castle Golf Club in 2020 when the event was played behind closed doors, and he now can’t wait to experience the home support in full voice later this year.

"When I heard Royal County Down was going to host the Amgen Irish Open in 2024, I knew it was an event I couldn’t wait to be a part of," said McKibbin. "It’s an incredible golf course and once you’re out there you can understand why it’s rated so highly by so many.

"Obviously to make my Irish Open debut on home soil four years ago was very special, but it was a very different atmosphere without fans due to the pandemic. So I’m really excited to have the chance to play so close to home in front of some big crowds.

"I had a great experience at The K Club last year and fans from across Ireland are unlike any other we get the chance to play in front of. Everything is set for what should be a memorable week and I’m very excited to get there in September."

Robert MacIntyre will be looking to add the title to his Scottish Open success. The Scotsman will make his third appearance in the island of Ireland’s national open, hoping to add another national open to his trophy cabinet after claiming his first PGA Tour victory at the RBC Canadian Open in May and triumphing on home soil in July.

"I’m really looking forward to returning to Irish Open," said MacIntyre. "It has been a great season so far and it would mean a lot to me to win another historic national open. I’ve not had the chance to play Royal County Down before. It’s one of those courses I have heard so many good things about, so I’m really excited for the week."

MacIntyre will go up against defending champion Vincent Norrman, who carded a final round 65 to win by one stroke at The K Club. The Swede claimed two victories in the space of just three starts last year, winning the Barbasol Championship and following that up with his Irish Open success.

"I’m really excited to defend my Irish Open title," said Norrman. "This will actually be my first title defence on Tour, so it should be a really special week at Royal County Down."

Also joining them will be Nicolai Hojgaard, who will look to finish his season strongly with a view to defending his DP World Tour Championship title in November. Hojgaard is taking a break from the PGA Tour, having comfortably retained his playing privileges for 2025.

First played in 1927, the Irish Open is one of the world’s most celebrated national opens, with a list of former champions that includes Seve Ballesteros, Nick Faldo, Padraig Harrington, Shane Lowry, Colin Montgomerie, Jose María Olazabal, Bernhard Langer and Sam Torrance.

It was won in 2016 by Rory McIlroy, in 2017 and 2019 by Jon Rahm, in 2018 by Russell Knox, in 2020 by John Catlin, in 2021 by Lucas Herbert, in 2022 by Adrian Meronk and last year by Vincent Norman.

Royal County Down Golf Club opened in March 1889 and is one of the oldest golf clubs in Ireland. Set against a backdrop of the Mountains of Mourne, it is a classic links course that stretches along the shores of Dundrum Bay. The fairways are narrow, the rough is thick and it will provide a proper challenge if the wind blows. It is a par 71 measuring just over 7,200 yards.

Rory McIlroy will be the fan favourite and he showed some decent form at the Tour Championship, but you might be better served having a flutter on either Shane Lowry or Robert MacIntyre, who are both links specialists.

Shane Lowry. Will relish this course

Robert MacIntyre. On the crest of a wave

Rory McIlroy. Hard to ignore

Shane Lowry. Loves links golf

Robert MacIntyre. Will hope the wind blows

Rory McIlroy. No chance if the wind blows

Ryan Fox. Class act

Nicolai Hojgaard. Has no weaknesses

Padraig Harrington. Don’t write off the old boy!

Joe Dean. Underrated

Kiradech Aphibarnrat. Looking for his best form

Brandon Stone. Has shown some good signs of late

Callum Shinkwin. Big hitter