Takeover over of Horizon by Amgen means new name for Irish Open
Amgen’s recent $27.8 billion takeover over Horizon Therapeutics has resulted in a name change for the Irish Open at Royal County Down next year.
Amgen’s takeover was confirmed on October 6 and the company today confirmed it will serve as the title sponsor of the $6 million Irish Open, starting at the Newcastle links in Co Down from September 12-15 next year.
Horizon Therapeutics, a leading Irish company, began sponsoring the tournament in 2022 as part of a six-year commitment that runs to 2027.
Amgen will also become a partner to the KPMG Women’s Irish Open, which is set for the O’Meara Course at Carton House at a date that’s yet to be confirmed.
Irish professionals Shane Lowry, Pádraig Harrington, Séamus Power and Brendan Lawlor served as golf ambassadors on behalf of Horizon Therapeutics, and they will now become Amgen golf ambassadors, wearing the Amgen logo while in competition.
“Sponsorship of the Amgen Irish Open marks an important milestone in Amgen’s 25-year history in Ireland, and today’s announcement further demonstrates our commitment to the communities where our people live and work,” said Robert A. Bradway, chairman and chief executive officer at Amgen.
“We are especially pleased to sponsor the Amgen Irish Open, recognising that the tournament contributes significantly to the Irish economy, and is a source of national pride.”
Amgen established a commercial presence in Ireland in 1998, and in 2011 it acquired a manufacturing facility in Dun Laoghaire, which it has since developed and upgraded with $1 billion in additional investment.
Today Amgen employs approximately 1,250 people in Ireland.
Mixed week for the Irish in the Sandbelt Invitational
In the Geoff Ogilvy-hosted Sandbelt Invitational in Australia, Kinsale’s John Murphy finished tied 25th on two-over.
He was 17th in the men’s professional standings, 14 shots behind winner Daniel Gale, after a closing two-over 72 at Royal Melbourne’s East Course.
Royal Dublin’s Hugh Foley shot 79 to finish 69th overall on 27-over to bring up the rear in the 19-man men’s amateur standings topped by Phoenix Campbell on eight-under.
Robin Choi won the women’s professional event on three-under while Jazy Roberts was the top female amateur on seven-under in a 72-hole invitational where the first three rounds were played at Victoria Golf Club, Peninsula Kingswood’s East (women) and South (men), and Yarra Yarra respectively.
