Top players take on Irish Open

ENGLAND’S Paul Casey and Sweden’s Fredrik Jacobson, both multiple winners on The 2003 European Tour, have confirmed their participation in the first Nissan-sponsored Irish Open which returns to Portmarnock for the first time in 13 years from July 24-27 July.

Casey, currently third in the Volvo Order of Merit, won the ANZ Championship in Australia in February then captured the 33rd and final Benson and Hedges International Open at The De Vere Belfry in May.

Jacobson, without a victory until this season, set the record straight with successes in the Omega Hong Kong Open and the Algarve Open de Portugal.

They are joined in the field by American Fred Funk, currently ranked 35th in the world, who made his debut in the Irish Open last year, finishing tied 23rd at Fota Island when Denmark's Søren Hansen claimed the title.

Apart from Hansen, three past champions have entered to date David Carter and Mark James of England and Sweden's Patrik Sjöland while two of European golf's exciting youngsters, Nick Dougherty of England and Ireland's Peter Lawrie, are also in the quality field.

Philip Walton, hero of The Ryder Cup in 1995 and born just along the coast from Portmarnock in Malahide, will hope to relive memories of his final round at the Irish Open in Portmarnock in 1988 when he went head to head for the title with Ian Woosnam before eventually finishing tied sixth.