Players to compete for record prize fund

Irish Open: A less penal challenge will be presented to competitors in next year's Nissan Irish Open over the Montgomerie Course at Carton House on May 18th-21st, when players will be competing for a record prize fund of €2.2 million, an increase of €200,000 on the purse this year when Stephen Dodds, of Wales, emerged as the winner.

Although the comments from players were generally positive, course designer Colin Montgomerie was apologising to nobody for its toughness: "Some came in and said the course was tough, but I make no apologies for that." he said.

"I think it's a good test of golf, it has a British Open feel. It has been a real mental battle and that's what was intended. I think this is the best test we've had on tour so far this year."

For next year's test, however, when the tournament is again placed in between the British Masters and the BMW Championship, tournament director David Probyn has announced that changes have been made to the set-up.

In particular, the fescue rough has been cut down during the summer and, when allowed to re-establish, will be less dense than it previously was while the landing areas on a number of holes has been widened with fairways reshaped on the first, fourth, sixth, 10th, 11th, and 16th holes.

"While this championship design will remain an extremely demanding test worthy of the Nissan Irish Open title, the changes being made are very positive and will ensure that Carton House plays host to an even more successful event in 2006," said Probyn.

The increase in prize money means that the Irish Open has more than doubled its purse in less than a decade.

The prize fund reached €1 million for the first time in 1996, when Montgomerie won the first of three Irish Open titles, and has increased every year since Nissan took over as title sponsors in 2003.

It means the winner of next year's tournament will claim a cheque for €366,660.

Gerard O'Toole, executive chairman, Nissan Ireland, said: "The increased prize fund presents us with a great opportunity to attract some of Europe's most elite players.

"I am confident that this coupled with our return to the superb world-class Montgomerie course in Carton House will attract record spectator numbers."

This year's tournament, albeit hampered by poor weather over the weekend, actually saw a sizeable reduction in the number of spectators on previous years.

For example, 76,410 attended the championship at Portmarnock in 2003, while 72,665 attended Baltray in 2004.

The attendance figure for Carton House was 63,651. The hope is that the increased prize fund will not only stem that tide, but turn it.