Irish boost with Amex’s return to Mount Juliet

IRELAND’S stature as the leading golf destination in Europe was further strengthened by yesterday’s confirmation that the WGC American Express Championship is returning to Mount Juliet in 2004.

It will take place on September 30-October 3 with prize money of $7 million dollars (€6m), the largest ever on the continent of Europe.

That’s an increase of $1m on this year’s tournament with a massive $1.2m going to the winner. The purse is $2m more than the total on offer in the inaugural Amex Championship at Valderrama in 1999 and $1.5m up on Mount Juliet in 2002.