The eyes of the world will be on Northern Ireland this week as the ISPS Handa World Invitational, Presented by Modest! Golf Management gets underway at Galgorm Castle.
The eyes of the world will be on Northern Ireland this week as the ISPS Handa World Invitational Men | Women, Presented by Modest! Golf Management gets underway at Galgorm Castle Golf Club and Massereene Golf Club from August 15-18.
The innovative event brings men and women together on the same courses as they compete in their respective tournaments for separate trophies and equal prize funds for the first time on European soil.
With alternating tee times between the men’s and women’s groups, fans can expect plenty of drama, with the two champions set to be crowned within moments of each other.
Galgorm and Massereene will share hosting duties across the opening two days, with the competitors completing one round at each of the two layouts, before the all the action takes place at Galgorm over the weekend, where a cut will take place after the second and third rounds.
Some of the biggest names in female golf will tee it up this week, including Solheim Cup Captain Catriona Matthew – who named her team for the biennial showpiece earlier this week – and Charley Hull, the World Number 29, who will play in her fourth Solheim Cup next month.
Calum Hill, who has two victories in his last three European Challenge Tour starts, returns to the scene of his maiden victory after he triumphed at the Galgorm Resort & Spa Northern Ireland Open, presented by Modest! Golf in 2018, and will have top spot in the Challenge Tour Rankings in his sights with current occupant Antoine Rozner not in the field.
A plethora of storylines are emerging from this innovative and inclusive tournament on the Challenge Tour International Schedule, as husband and wife duo Scott and Kylie Henry again tee it up in the same tournament after playing in the Jordan Mixed Open Presented by Ayla earlier this year, while local sisters Leona and Lisa Maguire and German siblings Moritz and Karolin Lampert will also compete at Galgorm and Massereene.
The drive for inclusivity continues apace with men and women competing together this week, with Ireland’s Brendan Lawlor, the winner of the inaugural EDGA Scottish Open last month, also set to compete alongside Challenge Tour professionals for the first time.
The action will begin on both courses at 7.30am local time on Thursday August 15 and live updates of the men’s and women’s action from both courses can be found by following @Challenge_Tour on Twitter.