Record prize money of €1.9 million, has been announced for the Nissan Irish Open which will take place at County Louth Golf Club in Baltray from July 22-25. Since Nissan took over the title sponsorship, prize money has risen by 20% further underlining the commitment of Nissan Ireland and Fáilte Ireland to the Irish Open.
County Louth Golf Club, one of Ireland’’s great links courses, will be hosting the Nissan Irish Open for the first time in what will be the 49th edition of the event first played in 1927. The Tom Simpson-designed course, frequently described as one of the country’’s “hidden gems”, is rated by Golf Digest as among the top six in Ireland.
Under the policy of venue rotation to promote Ireland’’s major tourist attractions and golf courses, spectators from all over the country are able to experience this special event.
Last year New Zealand’’s Michael Campbell continued his love affair with Ireland when, a little more than a year after winning the Smurfit European Open at The K Club, he defeated Thomas Björn of Denmark and Peter Hedblom of Sweden at the first hole of a sudden-death play-off to capture the Nissan Irish Open at Portmarnock. Victory earned him €300,000 while this year the winner will take home €316,666.
Campbell joined a long list of illustrious champions for the Nissan Irish Open including Major Championship winners Seve Ballesteros, Ben Crenshaw, Fred Daly, George Duncan, Nick Faldo, Hubert Green, Bernhard Langer, Bobby Locke, José Maria Olazábal, Alf Padgham, Reg Whitcombe and Ian Woosnam.
In addition to Daly, Ireland has celebrated three other winners in Harry Bradshaw, Christy O’’Connor Jnr and John O’’Leary while Colin Montgomerie, alongside Ballesteros, Faldo and Langer, holds the record for most wins with three apiece.
Keith Waters, Director of International Policy for The European Tour, said: “We are delighted to announce an increase in the prize fund and would like to thank Gerard O’’Toole, Executive Chairman, Nissan Ireland, and his team for their continued support of this Championship, which is going to be played on a truly wonderful links course this year.”
