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Ryder Cup stars to tee-off in
Ballyliffin
29.05.18
A HOST of European
Ryder Cup stars of 2016 are on their way to
Ballyliffin as the countdown begins in earnest to
the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open.
Rafa Cabrera Bello will join English trio Matthew
Fitzpatrick, Chris Wood and Danny Willett who have
all confirmed their participation in the prestigious
Rolex Series event.
World Number 24 Cabrera Bello (33) has a strong
record on Irish soil having come close to victory in
2012 when he claimed a share of second place at
Royal Portrush Golf Club.
The Canary Islands native, who also has two other
top fives and an additional top ten to his name in
the island of Ireland’s national Open, will be
looking to make it two Spanish victories in
successive years. Fellow countryman and world number
four Jon Rahm will defend the title at Ballyliffin
Golf Club from July 5-8.
“I am really looking forward to returning to the
Dubai Duty Free Irish Open and playing in front of
the Irish crowds again,” said Cabrera Bello. “It is
a tournament which has been very good to me through
the years and I love links golf.
“I have never played Ballyliffin but it looks like
we are in for a treat in Donegal. I have had some
good results on the European Tour this season so
far, but I know I can play well and win on links
courses so I’m confident of making that count and
hopefully contending for the title in Ireland.” |
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Meanwhile, Fitzpatrick,
who has one top ten to his name at the Dubai Duty
Free Irish Open, said: “I love playing in Ireland
and I’m a huge fan of links golf so I’m looking
forward to returning to the Dubai Duty Free Irish
Open again. The fans are always extremely
knowledgeable and supportive and that’s one of the
main reasons why I love playing that event every
year.”
Three-time European Tour winner Wood added:
“Unfortunately I missed the event last year, but the
links golf combined with the big Irish crowds always
makes it a special event on the calendar and it
should be a great week at Ballyliffin.”
2016 Masters Champion Willets said: “I’m really
looking forward to playing at Ballyliffin this year.
I’ve managed to play pretty well at the Dubai Duty
Free Irish Open, although I was forced to retire
last year due to the injury I was struggling with at
the time. I’m now working hard on getting my game
back to where it should be and hopefully I can hit
some form at the right time in the summer.”
Tickets for the event are on sale at
www.europeantour.com and begin at €20 for Pro-Am
Wednesday, with tickets for Thursday and Friday
costing €32 and day tickets for the weekend costing
€34 each. An adult season souvenir ticket, which
covers five days of world class golf from Wednesday
to Sunday, costs €110. |
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