Englishmen David Howell and Lee Westwood will return to The K Club for the first time since playing their part in Europe’s record-equalling victory in The 2006 Ryder Cup when they tee up in the Smurfit Kappa European Open from July 5-8.
Last September, both players were unbeaten over the Palmer Course, with Westwood winning four points out of a possible five, with three wins and two halved matches, and Howell winning two and a half points out of three, as Europe raced to an 18 ½ - 9 ½ point victory.
Attention switches to the Smurfit Course for the first tournament at The K Club since that magnificent week last September with Westwood looking for his third victory in the Smurfit Kappa European Open following his back-to-back victories in 1999 and 2000. Having won for the first time in over three years when he captured the Valle Romano Open de Andalucia in May, Westwood will be chasing a second victory of the season and his 18th European Tour title.
Howell has struggled with injury this year after finishing third on The European Tour Order of Merit in 2006, and is eager to get his season going again having not completed a tournament since the Masters in April.
The inclusion of Westwood in the field brings to nine the number of past champions lining up at The K Club with Stephen Dodd of Wales defending the title. Michael Campbell (2002), Kenneth Ferrie (2005), Per-Ulrik Johansson (1996 & 1997) and Phillip Price (2004), have also tasted victory at The K Club while Sandy Lyle (1979), Peter Senior (1990) and Ian Woosnam (1988) all won the title prior to Smurfit Kappa’s sponsorship.
The 2007 Smurfit Kappa European Open will be played over the Smurfit Course with a prize fund of £2,400,000 and, once again, the public can enjoy the first day’s play for free thanks to the ‘Free Ticket Thursday’ initiative from Ulster Bank. The application process for free tickets has now closed with more than 30,000 availing of the offer.
To complement Ulster Bank’s offer, the tournament organisers have restructured their usual ticketing policy for the event by producing a special ‘Long Weekend Ticket’ which permits entry on Friday July 6, Saturday July 7 and Sunday July 8 for a total cost of €70.
A one-day ticket is priced at €25 if purchased before Monday July 2 and €35 on the gate, while for Senior Citizens the charge is €10 in advance and €15 on the day. Entry for U-16s is free providing they are accompanied by an adult. The ticketing hotline number is +353 (081) 871 9300. For hospitality information, telephone +353 (01) 601 7370 or contact The European Tour Hospitality Department on +44 1344 840400.
