GOLF: Padraig Harrington starts a busy four-week schedule when he takes his place in the Memorial Tournament at the Jack Nicklaus-designed Muirfield Village starting today, before moving on to next week's Kemper Open and the season's next major the US Open.

Tiger Woods, however, will start a strong favourite despite the presence of Harrington, Ernie Els, the holder Jim Furyk and Justin Leonard in the field.

Harrington, seventh in the World rankings, will not be lacking in confidence after his play-off victory in the Deutsche Bank - SAP Open TPC of Europe in Hamburg two weeks ago.

It's no surprise that the Memorial annually attracts one of the PGA Tours strongest fields. The Memorial's popularity is unquestioned, and you don't have to talk to the invitees to know that.

"From day one our goal was to make sure that we took care of the players so that when they came here they felt like they were at home," said Nicklaus, who is also hosting the event. "They're taken care of in every way they can be taken care of."

"Jack gives us a chance to drive the ball here," said Harrington. "It seems to be quite a long course but definitely the premium is on iron shots into the green, trying to keep it underneath the hole."

Meanwhile, Colin Montgomerie last night urged Europe's star golfers to avoid entering a "bidding war" to become the next Ryder Cup captain.

Ian Woosnam, Bernhard Langer and Sandy Lyle have already put their names forward to succeed Sam Torrance as European skipper next year at Oakland Hills in Detroit.

Nick Faldo has also expressed his interest in leading the home side two years later at the K Club in Co Kildare, while there will be strong support for an Irish captain with former Ryder Cup stars Eamonn Darcy, Christy O'Connor Jnr and Des Smyth in the frame.

But while Faldo feels there should be an official selection process, Montgomerie believes the captain should simply be announced by the Ryder Cup committee instead of being contested in public.

Montgomerie, who is also a strong contender to be captain in 2006, said: "I don't want to get into a bidding war.

"The American captain is announced, we tend to get into a bidding war. We already have three up for the next one, Woosie, Langer and Sandy and two people are going to have to lose and we don't want a situation where people lose out on a Ryder Cup captaincy.

"I feel it should be announced somehow. Asked in private, accepted and then announced as opposed to being played out in the press and public. There are only losers then, no winners."

Montgomerie makes his debut in Wales Open this week where he will play with two former champions, Paul McGinley and Steen Tinning.

He said: "I am really looking forward to playing in The Celtic Manor Resort Wales Open for the first time. I think it will be great preparation for the US Open Championship."

Tinning claimed his first victory on The European Tour in 2000 while McGinley's play-off success 12 months later sealed his berth on Europe's Ryder Cup Team and paved the way for that momentous occasion at The Belfry when the Irishman sank the winning putt against the United States.

Darren Clarke has taken a week off but in the field are Peter Lawrie, Graeme McDowell, Gary Murphy and Damien McGrane.

Des Smith, after a third place finish last week will be looking for a first win on the Champions Tour in the Music City Championship at Gaylord Opryland.

The women's European tour returns to one of the most scenic and cultural stops of its schedule today, when the Spanish Open gets under way in Salamanca.

Defending champion Karine Icher from France makes a welcome return to the City of learning aiming to retain her title against the top players on the European Tour.

But favourites for the title include Alison Munt from Australia and Germany's Elisabeth Esterl.