Irish Open: Are there tickets left for the weekend at Royal County Down as Rory McIlroy surges into contention?

Rory McIlroy putts the ball on the 11th green at Royal County Down on day two of the 2024 Amgen Irish Open
-Credit: (Image: ©INPHO/Ben Brady)


The crowds were out in force for the first two days of the Amgen Irish Open as Rory McIlroy and other DP World stars took on the magnificent Royal County Down golf course.

While there were mixed results for some of the homegrown stars, McIlroy put himself right in the mix with an impressive round of three under on day one - finishing with three birdies in a row.

He got the best of the conditions with an early start on Friday and is right in the hunt for a first Irish Open success since 2016 going into the weekend. Alejandro Del Rey of Spain had taken a commanding lead but took a quadruple bogey eight at the 15th hole to leave things wide open.

Read next: Billy Horschel recalls Rory McIlroy's X-rated outburst at Royal County Down

Read next: 'World's Greatest' golf course named as NI club comes out on top

While half the field will not be around for the weekend, having missed the cut, golf fans will be out in force again and there are still tickets available for the rare chance to see McIlroy going for glory on home turf. McIlroy was just one shot off the lead when he finished his round at lunchtime on Friday.

Tom McKibbin actually outperformed his good pal on day two to secure his position in the field for all four days while Shane Lowry is another huge name that fans will have the opportunity to watch up close for the weekend. Scottish Open champion Robert McIntrye also battled back to make the cut and is a player plenty of golf supporters will be keen to get a glimpse of.

General admission tickets can still be bought for Saturday's third round, traditional refereed to as moving day in golf tournaments. Those tickets are priced at £60 per person.

The Ticket + and Green on 18 options for Saturday are now sold out.

Ballroom tickets can be purchased as a private table of 10 or in smaller groups on a shared table at the Slieve Donard Hotel and cost £359 per person for Saturday.

READ MORE: What channel is the Irish Open on? TV and live stream info for all four days

READ MORE: Irish Open: Royal County Down has golf fans all saying the same thing

The situation is identical right now for Sunday's final round with just general admission and Ballroom tickets still available. It could be a day to remember if McIlroy can keep his ball on the shorter grass for the rest of the weekend.

For ticket info and purchases, see here.

Royal County Down not only plays host to world-class golfers this September, but there’s also a vibrant line-up of local music acts set to entertain attendees in the Championship Village.

On Saturday evening, Anna’s Number, a five piece act who hail from Banbridge, Lurgan, Portadown and Bangor, known for their electrifying sets, will take to the stage. Fresh from headlining a show at Belfast’s Ulster Hall, playing at All Together Now, and soon to be Electric Picnic, the five-piece act are known for their explosive sets that seamlessly weave together classic 70s soul hits, noughties Clubland bangers, TikTok sensations and everything in between. Starting out busking on the streets of Belfast and Banbridge, the band have amassed a loyal following, selling out Limelight and the new Mandela Hall, and earlier this year released their debut single, 'Figure You Out'.

Once the tournament winds down on Sunday, Newcastle singer-songwriter Stephen Rafferty and his band will take to the stage. Stephen is currently recording his debut album and has previously won Youth Action Northern Ireland’s ‘Next Big Thing’ competition with his song Masquerade.

Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox