RORY McILROY will be the star attraction at next week’s British Masters after the four-time Major winner confirmed his participation in the European Tour event at Close House.

McIroy’s presence in the field is a major coup for the Northumberland venue, and will see the Northern Irishman join the likes of Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia, Danny Willett, Graeme McDowell and Martin Kaymer who are already confirmed participants.

Having finished in a tie for 58th in his most recent outing at the BMW Championship in Chicago, McIlroy has failed to qualify for the lucrative PGA Tour Championship that begins in Atlanta on Thursday.

The former world number one has been struggling with a rib injury for the last few months, and hinted he might not play again this year after he finished 22nd in the USPGA Championship in August.

However, “outside expectations” forced him to return to action on the US tour, with his performances seeing him fall to eighth in the world rankings, his lowest position for more than three years.

He has returned to Europe, and is keen to end his season with an appearance in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, alongside his father Gerry, at the start of October.

The British Masters will take place a week before that event, and McIlroy is looking forward to teeing up at Close House as he looks to avoid what would be only his second winless season since turning professional.

“I am looking forward to playing my first British Masters for a while,” said McIroy, who needs a win at next year’s US Masters to complete a clean sweep of Major titles.

“I kind of had it in the back of my mind that if I didn’t make the (PGA) Tour Championship then there was a chance to tee it up at Close House, so I have decided to do that before finishing my season off the next week at the Dunhill Links.

“I’m pleased to be able to support Lee Westwood next week as well. I know what it’s like to be a tournament host, so I know how much the British Masters means to Lee this year. It looks like he has done a brilliant job along with Sky Sports and Close House in putting the event together, and hopefully the crowds will come and support us.

“Teeing it up next week gives me one more chance to end 2017 on a high as well. If I can sign off the year with a win or two in Newcastle and then St Andrews I would take so many positives into my six-week recovery period when I am going to reset mentally and physically and concentrate on getting myself in the right shape for next year.”

Next week’s British Masters is shaping up to be one of the best events staged in Britain outside of the Open Championship for a number of years.

McIlroy’s presence means there will be three former world number ones in the field, with Westwood and Kaymer also having previously held top spot in the official World Golf Rankings.

“It is great news that Rory will be coming to Close House,” said Westwood, who is Close House’s attached professional and a close friend of the course’s owner, Graham Wylie. “The first time I played with Rory was actually in the British Masters with Darren (Clarke) at the Forest of Arden, so it’s great to have him back playing in the tournament.

“We already have a really strong field, including Sergio Garcia and Danny Willett, the last two Masters champions, and I’m delighted Rory is able to be part of it too.

“Everything is shaping up nicely for the tournament, and Rory is another great player for the fans to come and see in action at Close House.

The British Masters starts on September 28, and tickets for all four days of action are still available, starting at £20.