Druids Glen remains the most suitable venue for the Murphy's Irish Open, according to the sponsors who yesterday announced the championship's return there next year for a fourth time. But it is still their policy to move the event throughout the country, when other suitable venues become available.

"This is not a signal that we have found a permanent base here," confirmed Marien Kakebeeke, managing director of Murphy's. "Though the choices are relatively limited, we looked at other venues for next year. Our conclusion was that Druids Glen is better than anything we've looked at."

The Irish Open first went to Druids Glen in 1996 and the existing contract covered this year's staging with an option for 1999. It is clear that a key factor in Murphy's picking up that option was the excellent relationship they appear to have established with the venue's management.