Golf:World number four Lee Westwood is the latest player signed up for this year's 3 Irish Open at Killarney Golf and Fishing Club over the August Bank Holiday weekend.
Westwood has fond memories of his time competing on Irish soil after the 36-year-old won back-to-back European Open titles at the K-Club in 1999 and again in 2000 when he also finished the season as European number one. At the same venue he was also part of the victorious European Ryder Cup team in 2006 and was undefeated.
He has returned to top form over the last 12 months and at the end of last season pipped Rory McIlroy to the number one spot on the European Tour order of merit – otherwise known as the Race to Dubai – after winning the season-ending Dubai World Championship.
Winner of 31 professional tournaments worldwide, Westwood has also featured strongly in the majors, most recently when he finished second to Phil Mickelson in the Masters at Augusta earlier this month.
“I’ve always enjoyed playing in Ireland and have done well there over the years so I’m optimistic about my chances of more success in the 3 Irish Open,” said Westwood, who was in contention at Baltray last year but fell away over the weekend before Shane Lowry memorably won as an amateur.
“I’m in great form at the moment and playing some of the best golf of my career so hopefully that will continue throughout the remainder of the season.
“I’ve won the European Open and obviously the Ryder Cup in Ireland so it would be fantastic to add Ireland’s national Open to that list. Hopefully with the Bank Holiday slot we will attract a large crowd at Killarney.”
Westwood will attempt to follow in the footsteps of fellow Englishman Nick Faldo after the six-time major winner won the Irish Open on the two previous occasions the national championship was staged in Killarney in 1991 and 1992.
“Lee Westwood’s performance at the Masters further underlined his status among the elite players in world golf,” said George O’Grady, European Tour chief executive. “Only an inspired and, at times, mesmerising Phil Mickelson stopped Lee winning his first major at Augusta, and, with two more majors to be contested before the 3 Irish Open, it would surprise no-one if he arrives (in Killarney) as a major champion.
This is second year 3 are on board as title sponsors of the €3million event following last year's hugely successful staging at Baltray Golf Club in County Louth.
The tournament has a new slot on the European Tour schedule and takes place from July 29th-August 1st, 2010.