World Number Seven Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland will be the star attraction when the European Challenge Tour stages its first official event in Cairo with the Egyptian Open at the JW Marriott Mirage City Golf Club from October 20-23, 2010.

The 21 year old superstar, who finished in a tie for third place at The Open Championship last week, will join the cream of the Challenge Tour’s young talent at the penultimate event of the 2010 season.

“I’m very excited about the chance of playing in Egypt for the first time,” said McIlroy. “It’s not a country you would think about as a home for golf, but I have heard about the courses there, the history of the Egyptian Open and the developments that are coming online. So I can’t wait to see it all for myself.”

To have one of the world’s best players agree to join us for the 2010 tournament is a wonderful bonus after achieving full European Challenge Tour status,” said Egyptian Golf Federation Chairman Ayman Hussein.