FOUR-TIME major champion Rory McIlory has confirmed he will play in Tynedale next weekend.

The Northern Irish superstar is the biggest name in a star-studded field signed up to join tournament host Lee Westwood and Masters champion Sergio Garcia in the British Masters, which comes to Close House between September 28 and October 1.

And the big names continue to be announced with Ryder Cup legend Ian Poulter the latest to confirm his attendance in what promises to be Tynedale's biggest ever sporting spectacle.

But it is the appearance of McIlroy which has attracted the most interest, his addition in the field meaning there will now be three former world number ones at the Heddon-on-the-Wall venue alongside Westwood and Martin Kaymer.

It will be the the first time McIlroy has played the British Masters since 2008.

He said: “I'm looking forward to playing my first British Masters for a while. I kind of had it in the back of my mind that if I didn't make the 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 support us."

Poulter was the first host of British Masters at Woburn in 2015 after it made a successful return to the European Tour after seven years, although injury ruled him out of last year's event.

He has been climbing up the world rankings since, making the cut in all 10 of his appearances on the tour so far.

The 12-time European Tour winner, who has been a runner-up in the British Masters on three occasions, is looking forward to lining up at Close House.

He said: "I'm really looking forward to coming back to Britain next week and playing in the British Masters again. It's a tournament I've always enjoyed and I've played well in it too, so hopefully that will continue at Close House.

"I enjoyed hosting the tournament a couple of years ago and Lee has done a great job this time round, with a really strong field, so it should be a great week.

"I had some good performances over the summer, including on British soil, and the game has mostly felt pretty good this year.

"Clearly I'd love to get a win before the season finishes and the British Masters would obviously be a special place for it to happen."

Close House will be a hive of activity next week, with the Junior Masters kicking off proceedings on Tuesday. It will be followed by the glittering Hero Pro-Am on Wednesday, with many celebrity names lined up including Alan Shearer, AP McCoy and Kenny Dalglish.

The main event, the four-day British Masters, starts on Thursday and will conclude on Sunday.

Westwood said he was looking forward to welcoming some of the world's biggest names to the tournament.

He said: "It is great news that Rory will be coming to Close House next week for the British Masters.

“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 really strong field, including Sergio Garcia and Danny Willett, the last two Masters Champions, and I’m delighted Rory is able be part of it too."