Ireland bids for Solheim

GOLF: Ireland has officially applied to play host to the Solheim Cup, the women's version of the Ryder Cup match, for 2007. The bid is part of a strategy which has earmarked major golf tournaments as an ideal vehicle for portraying the country as a tourism destination, with more than 245,000 people now visiting Ireland annually with the primary intention to play golf.

The application to stage the Solheim Cup has been made to Ladies European Tour Enterprises and, although there are a number of other potential candidates, it is felt that Ireland has a strong hand. Like the initial Ryder Cup bid, which sought to secure the event for the country before deciding on a course, the Solheim Cup application will follow similar lines.

Already, Ireland has successfully won the right to stage the Ryder Cup, at The K Club in 2006, and later this year will host the American Express World Championship at Mount Juliet when Tiger Woods will be in the field. The Seve Trophy was staged at Druids Glen in April.

"If we manage to secure the Solheim Cup, we would see it as another important element in our programme to have major golf tournaments in Ireland," said Damien Ryan, the director of golf with Bord Fáilte.

Meanwhile, the so-called duel in the dunes exhibition match between Padraig Harrington and Greg Norman to officially open the Doonbeg links in Co Clare which was designed by the Australian will be screened in a special broadcast by The Golf Channel in the United States in a special half-hour programme that will feature advertisement breaks promoting a Ireland's top parkland and links courses. Spectator numbers for the match will be limited to 750 and access to the course is by invitation only.

Ireland's Graeme McDowell is a 40 to 1 chance to win the Great North Open at Slaley Hall, his debut professional event.

GREAT NORTH OPEN ODDS (courtesy of Ladbrokes): 16/1 A Coltart, B Lane 20/1 B Davis, B Dredge, N O'Hern, P Casey, R Green, R Jacquelin, R Muntz 25/1 A Oldcorn, D Howell, N Dougherty 40/1 G McDowell 80/1 D Smyth.