ONE Direction star and golf lover Niall Horan is to tee-off at the NI Open.
The 22-year-old Mullingar man will be the main attraction in the Pro-Am event at the tournament being held at Galgorm Castle from July 28-31.
Alongside Northern Ireland goal-keeping legend Pat Jennings and former Ulster, Ireland and Lions rugby player Stephen Ferris, Horan will be the star turn on Wednesday July 27, before the main action begins and is looking forward to the week-long festival of golf.
"I'm delighted to be involved in the Northern Ireland Open and to get the chance to play in the Pro-Am," explained Horan.
"The NI Open is such a great event for all the family and we are sure to have a bit of fun on and off the course during the Pro-Am. I recommend all the family comes along to Galgorm and gets involved because there is so much to see and do. I for one can’t wait to play Galgorm," he added.
Watch: Niall Horan speaking at the Irish Open at the K Club, Kildare in May.
A 12 handicap golfer Horan has previously caddied for the past two years for his friend Rory McIlroy at the Masters Par 3 tournament at Augusta and in May took part in a Pro-Am round prior to the Irish Open at The K Club.
Pro-Am day at Galgorm will also mark the official opening of the fun golf area, a brand new six-hole complex where golfers of all levels can try the game or get advice from the PGA team. There is also the Himalayas Putting Green, a replica of the famous oversized green at the `home of golf' in St Andrews, Scotland.