Dubai: The Dubai Duty Free Irish Open hosted by the Rory McIlroy Foundation got under way at Ballyliffin in Donegal on Wednesday with a celebrity Pro-Am featuring 51 teams, 12 of which were made up of DDF representatives.
Last year’s Irish Open winner Jon Rahm, with Dermot Davitt, Damien Fox and Brian King, won the morning competition on 30 under, while Chris Paisley, who played with Barry McGrath, Mark Murnane and Philip McEnroe, won the evening round at 33 under.
Nearest the pins were won by former Ireland Rugby player Keith Wood, Jonathan Styles and Rose Doyle. Longest drives were won by Mark Hamilton, Gerard Sproule and Avril Fulton.
DDF executive vice-chairman and chief executive officer, Colm McLoughlin was joined by 2015 Irish Open winner Soren Kjeldsen for his round. Tournament host Rory McIlroy was also joined by racehorse owner JP McManus, businessman Dermot Desmond and former jockey Sir AP McCoy.
Other well-known faces included former Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Enda Kenny, actor James Nesbitt, musicians Keith Duffy of Boyzone, Brian McFadden of Westlife and Strictly Come Dancing star Anton du Beke. Sports stars included rugby’s Keith Wood, Stephen Ferris, Paddy Wallace, goalkeeper Shay Given, snooker’s Dennis Taylor and Gaelic footballers Kieran Donaghy and Michael Murphy.
