The DP World Tour's UK Swing reaches its final event this week as Galgorm Castle Golf Club and Massereene Golf Club play host to the ISPS Handa World Invitational presented by Aviv Clinics. Here are your five things to know ahead of this week’s innovative event.
Unique double event returns
The innovative dual-event format returns to Northern Ireland as separate male and female tournaments compete on the same courses at the same time and for two equal prize funds of US$1.5 million each. Thailand's Pajaree Anannarukarn will defend the women's title - co-sanctioned between the LPGA Tour and Ladies European Tour - and she is joined by a host of stars just days after the AIG Women's Open. History-making Volvo Car Scandinavian Mixed winner Linn Grant, fellow Swede Maja Stark and English pair Georgia Hall and Dame Laura Davies are all among the stars teeing it up in Northern Ireland.
Gavins back to defend
Daniel Gavins produced one of the best final rounds of the 2021 season as he came from seven shots back to win his first DP World Tour title 12 months ago. The Englishman fired a bogey-free 65 to set the target at 13 under and there were wonderful scenes on the range as he waited for his rivals to finish before discovering he was a winner, having never previously claimed a DP World Tour top ten. He made a bright start to the season but may be looking for some inspiration at a happy hunting ground after failing to make the weekend in nine of his last 11 starts.
The G4D Tour is in town
This event plays host to a tournament for golfers with a disability for the second year running as the fourth event of the G4D Tour takes place. World Number One and last year's host Brendan Lawlor will be looking to defend his title but he faces some stiff competition, not least from World Number Two and two-time G4D Tour winner in 2022 winner Kipp Popert. The fans will also have Irishman Conor Stone to cheer for as he makes his G4D Tour debut, with seven of the world's top ten in the field.
Pro-am brings a sprinkle of star dust
Global pop superstar Niall Horan returns to Country Antrim to play in Wednesday's pro-am and the former One Direction singer will not be the only famous face on the fairways. His playing partner on Wednesday will be former Republic of Ireland striker Robbie Keane, while actor James Nesbitt will also teeing it up in the pro-am. “I’m delighted my pal Robbie Keane is joining us at the ISPS Handa World Invitational Pro Am," said Horan. "Robbie and I have been great friends for years so I’m really looking forward to catching up with him. We’re playing together on Wednesday and I know Robbie is competitive so I’m sure we’ll have a bit of a laugh on the course."
Glorious Galgorm plays host
This may be just the second edition of this event on the DP World Tour but Galgorm Castle's history with top-class golf goes back a long way. Long-time host of the European Challenge Tour's Northern Ireland Open, an event won by DP World Tour winners Joakim Lagergren, Ryan Fox and Calum Hill, it also hosted the Irish Open in 2020 when John Catlin lifted the trophy. The inaugural edition of this event was also held here on the Challenge Tour in 2019, with Jack Senior taking the men's honours and Stephanie Meadow lifting the women's trophy.
