There will be a strong US Open feel to The 2006 Smurfit Kappa European Open after Michael Campbell, Retief Goosen, Colin Montgomerie and Kenneth Ferrie all confirmed their participation in the £2.4 million (€3,499,730) tournament over the Smurfit Course at The K Club, Straffan, Co. Kildare, Ireland, from July 6-9.
Montgomerie and Ferrie were two of the chief protagonists in the dramatic and absorbing events of last week’s US Open at Winged Foot and both will be among the favourites to triumph at The K Club next month.
Montgomerie came agonisingly close to claiming his first Major title on Sunday only to lose out by a shot to Australian Geoff Ogilvy, while Ferrie announced himself on the world stage by finishing in a share of sixth place.
It represented a timely return to peak form for England’s Ferrie as he prepares to defend the Smurfit Kappa European Open title, following his two-stroke victory over Scotland’s Montgomerie and England’s Graeme Storm in 2005.
That success came over the Palmer Course - venue for The 2006 Ryder Cup in September – but this year the tournament switches to the Smurfit Course for only the second time in 11 years. On the previous occasion, in 2004, it was Goosen, the World Number Four, who emerged on top.
The South African had arrived at The K Club two weeks after winning his second US Open title at Shinnecock Hills and went on to produce another magnificent performance to win by five strokes from Australians Richard Green and Peter O’Malley and England’s Lee Westwood.
Campbell, who won the 2005 US Open when he held off Tiger Woods at Pinehurst No.2, has only missed one Smurfit Kappa European Open since 1995, when it moved to The K Club, and the New Zealander will be aiming to repeat the success of 2002 when he triumphed by a stroke.
The return of a world-class field to The K Club ahead of The Ryder Cup is guaranteed to generate huge interest amongst Irish golfing fans and Ulster Bank has generously agreed to provide free public admission for the first round on Thursday, July 6.
To complement Ulster Bank’s offer, the organisers have restructured their usual ticketing policy for the event by producing a special ‘Long Weekend Ticket’ which permits entry on Friday July 7, Saturday July 8 and Sunday July 9. The cost of this ticket is €70.
A one-day ticket is priced at €25 if purchased before Monday July 3 and €35 on the gate, while for Senior Citizens the charge is €10 in advance and €15 on the gate. Entry for U-16s is free providing they are accompanied by an adult.
The ticketing hotline number is ++353 1890 337 333 or log on towww.sportsticketing.com. For hospitality information, telephone ++353 (01) 676 2728.
