Japan’s world number four, Hideki Matsuyama, will make his first appearance at a regular European Tour event after agreeing to play in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open hosted by the Rory Foundation from July 6-9.
The 25-year-old has become one of the hottest properties in the game, thanks to his scintillating form since May last year, which has yielded three victories on the PGA Tour, including the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai and two runner-up finishes.
The Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, the third Rolex Series event of the 2017 Race to Dubai, will feature a record $7-million prize fund when it takes places at Portstewart Golf Club for the first time this year.
Matsuyama’s maiden appearance at the island of Ireland’s national championship – alongside a plethora of the game’s biggest names such as McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Justin Rose, Tyrrell Hatton and Danny Willett – provides another significant boost to what is already expected to be the biggest in the tournament’s long history.
Matsuyama’s eye-catching record at Major championships has been another factor in his rise to such heady heights in the rankings – with Dustin Johnson, tournament host Rory McIlroy and Jason Day the only players above him.
In his last seven appearances in golf’s big four, he has claimed three top tens and two more top 20 finishes, while he also finished in the top ten at both The Open Championship and US Open Championship in his first year as a professional back in 2013.
‘I am really looking forward to playing the Irish Open for the first time – I have heard great things about the tournament and about the Northern Irish fans,’ said Matsuyama, the third player in the current top ten in the world to be announced for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open thus far.
‘It is important to play some links golf ahead of The Open Championship and I’m sure Portstewart will be the perfect preparation for me.
‘I know Rory puts a lot into this tournament and he has done an incredible job raising its profile. I’m really excited and I know it will be a great week.’
Matsuyama’s compatriot Hideto Tanihara has also confirmed his participation at Portstewart, with the world number 47 making his debut at the event, having finished in a share of third at the very first Rolex Series event, the BMW PGA Championship, two weeks ago.
