Lee Westwood will lead a strong international brigade trying to dethrone defending champion Padraig Harrington at next week’s Irish Open.
The Englishman will be joined by Niclas Fasth, Martin Kaymer, Richard Sterne, Robert Karlsson and, of course, Harrington from the top 50 on the Official World Golf Ranking at the €2,500,000 tournament.
A further 73 European Tour champions, including eight-time European Tour Order of Merit winner Colin Montgomerie, will head for the Adare Manor Hotel and Golf Resort in Co. Limerick.
Westwood, currently 20th on the Official World Golf Ranking, will be the highest ranked player in the field after Open Champion Harrington, and will be among the favourites to deny Ireland’s Number One a second consecutive Irish Open victory.
But, after World Number 11 Harrington brought to an end the 25 year wait for a home winner of the Irish Open last year, it would come as no surprise if he successfully defends the title or is succeeded by one of his fellow countryman given Ireland’s dominance of The European Tour over the past two months.
In Graeme McDowell (Ballantine’s Championship), Damien McGrane (Volvo China Open), Darren Clarke (BMW Asian Open) and Peter Lawrie (Open de España), Ireland has produced four European Tour winners in the past nine events on the International Schedule.
Tom Kane, Managing Partner, Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort, said: “Irish golf is truly on the crest of a wave at the moment given recent results and I believe the Irish golfing public are really in for a treat with the titanic week’s competition that lies ahead at The Irish Open. The line up is of course led by our reigning champion, Padraig Harrington, and includes all the Irish Tour winners who have done us so proud in recent weeks.
“We are also delighted to have 2006 Ryder Cup heroes Darren Clarke, Padraig Harrington, David Howell, Robert Karlsson, Paul McGinley, Colin Montgomerie and Lee Westwood lining up in addition to rising world stars such as Martin Kaymer and Richard Sterne. With such a competitive field amassed I’m sure the outcome will go right down to the wire again as was the case in 2007.”
There are two days remaining for fans to purchase discounted tickets for The Irish Open.
Up until May 10, Daily Tickets for The Irish Open will be reduced from €25 to €20, with Season Ticket prices cut from €75 to €60. Junior fans aged 16 or under accompanied by an adult will be admitted free of charge throughout the tournament week. Full details of tickets and corporate hospitality are available atwww.irishopenatadaremanor.comor by contacting
Anyone purchasing a ticket in advance of the tournament will be entered into a draw to play with Padraig Harrington in the Pro-Am on Wednesday May 14. One ticket purchase will guarantee one entry into the prize draw, and all entrants must be available to play at any time of day on Wednesday May 14. All entrants must have an official handicap of 24 or below for men and 36 or below for women.
For further information on Adare Manor Hotel and Golf Resort contact:
