Tiger aiming to be the master of Adare

MASTERS CHAMPION Tiger Woods will contest the JP McManus Invitational Pro Am at Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort in July.

Woods, the reigning champion will defend his title against top players including former Major winners, Mark O’Meara, Sandy Lyle, Fred Couples, Lee Janzen, Jose Maria Olazabal and 2006 European Ryder Cup Captain, Ian Woosnam.

Some of the 2004 European Ryder Cup team players such as Pádraig Harrington, Luke Donald, Darren Clarke, Colin Montgomerie, Paul McGinley, Ian Poulter and David Howell will also partake in the two-day tournament (July 4th-5th). Australians, Adam Scott, Robert Allenby and Stuart Appleby have also committed to play in the event.

The tournament, which has a prize fund of €1 million comprise 54 teams of four players competing over two days (one professional and three amateurs per team). A record number of overseas and Irish visitors are expected to attend the event, which aims to generate much-needed funds for many worthy causes in the mid-west region. All monies raised go in their entirety to these voluntary organisations. Over 5,736 golfers have participated in pre-qualifier tournaments across the country and it is anticipated that this figure will exceed 7,000 by July.

In addition to top professionals participating, spectators can expect to see familiar faces from the worlds of entertainment and sport.

JP McManus said: “We are fortunate to have an outstanding field of top professionals who are giving their time and talent freely to support our tournament. We would like to thank the hundreds of volunteers, the organising committee as well as the European PGA Tour, Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort, all our supporters and spectators who have helped make it all happen. We appreciate the tremendous local community support and we look forward to what promises to be two days of world class golf and great fun.”