text: Rory McIlroy's powers of persuasion have resulted in US Open champion Martin Kaymer, former world number one Luke Donald and American Ryder Cup star Patrick Reed confirming their participation in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open. McIlroy's foundation is hosting the event at Royal County Down from May 28-31 and the world number one has been a major influence in attracting a top-class field, who will compete for a prize fund of £1.8million, an increase of 25 per cent from last year. Reed let the cat out of the bag on the final day of the Masters at Augusta National, also revealing he would compete in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth the week before. Rory McIlroy managed to persuade some of golf's biggest stars to take part in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open . But the addition of Kaymer and Donald means the tournament will feature five players who have been world number one - McIlroy, Donald, Kaymer, Ernie Els and Lee Westwood - and eight major champions in McIlroy, Els, Kaymer, Darren Clarke, Padraig Harrington, Graeme McDowell, Paul Lawrie and Jose Maria Olazabal. Ryder Cup captain Clarke said: 'Rory has pulled in a lot of favours and it's a testament to the high esteem Rory is held that it's going to be the strongest field for a long time. 'It's a huge positive for the European Tour to have such a tournament on one of the best golf courses in the world. 'I have always wanted to win the Irish Open but have not managed to play well in it that often. Hopefully being back at Royal County Down I will have a decent week this year.' Luke Donald is one star who McIlroy managed to persuade to take part in his foundations tournament . Donald, who last played in the Irish Open in 2004, said: 'My performances and results have been getting better and better recently and I am feeling very positive about a huge summer of golf ahead. 'The Irish Open will be a big part of that and I am looking forward to playing Royal County Down and some really 'old school' links golf - I think the links golf factor will add a lot to the event and it's looking like it's going to be a great week.' Kaymer added: 'There is definitely a good feeling about this year's Irish Open and I think Rory has done a great job to get such a great field for the event and to create a really nice atmosphere about the tournament.' The nature of the course means that spectator numbers will be limited to 20,000 a day, although 5,000 grandstand seats will be erected. US Open champion Martin Kaymer will hope to improve on his Masters performance at the Dubai Duty Open .
target: Rory McIlroy has managed to persuade some high-profile golfers to take part in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open in May .
  Martin Kaymer, Luke Donald and Patrick Reed are all involved in the Open .
  Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke praised McIlroy for attracting the stars .