Seve Ballesteros, Jose Maria Olazábal, Sergio Garcia, now Jon Rahm – another charismatic young Spaniard has won the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open.

In a year where the event was elevated as a part of the Rolex Series, it was the fitting that the winner should be of such quality. It may only be Jon Rahm’s first European Tour win, but the manner of his play this year has marked him out as a future Number 1 player. His performance at Portstewart underlined his credentials.

Rounds of 65, 67, 67 and 65 meant a record-breaking 24-under-par total and a six-shot victory. Nobody could live with the Spaniard’s long-driving, creative shot-making and precise putting on the Strand Course, and the 22-year-old will now be one of the favourites for the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in two weeks’ time.

With two eagles in his final round, Rahm was in cruise control, and even brushed off a rules controversy that threatened to add drama to the finish.

Popularly received by the Irish fans, Jon Rahm has made it his intention to defend his title in Ballyliffin next year, and the Spaniard’s continued participation would be a massive boost for the event.

It was a largely disappointing tournament for the Irish players, with Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell missing the cut and Shane Lowry, Padraig Harrington and Paul Dunne having up-and-down weeks. It was a great week however for Ireland’s Gavin Moynihan, who shot a final round 64 . A career-best round as a professional, Moynihan finished in a tie for 14th, earning €84,505.

Out in 33 shots, Moynihan lit up on the back nine, birdieing 12 and 13. On 14, Moynihan hit his shot of the day, a perfect 7 iron downwind from 205 yards to 8 feet, holing the putt from eagle. On the 17^th hole, he holed a 45-foot putt for 17, showing that it was his day on the links.

A delighted Moynihan had only received an invite to play in the event last Friday.

“Two months ago, I didn’t even have status on the Challenge Tour, and that second place finish in Spain got my card wrapped up for that. Obviously it would be nice to get a few more starts out of it,” Moynihan said.

Moynihan will just miss out on a place in next week’s Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, but it was certainly a day that he won’t forget in a hurry.

Elsewhere, Ballyliffin was announced as host of next year’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open. The venue of the Glashedy Links was confirmed for next year, with a date of July 5-8, resuming its place as two weeks before The Open Championship.

“What I really believe, not only is the golf course spectacular, but the support that we will receive from the region,” Chief Executive of the European Tour Keith Pelley said.

“When Rory and I say down some month ago and started talking about it, he loves Ballyliffin.”

John Farren, General Manager of Ballyliffin Golf Club, said: “This has been many years in the making, not just over the last ten, but maybe 20, 30 years, the development of the club. I’d like to thank Keith, Barry and Colm and everyone associated with bringing this to fruition.

“The opportunity to showcase not just Ballyliffin but Donegal and Derry and the region is invaluable to us.”