New dad Harrington gives IPGA a miss
He has withdrawn in order to spend more time with his wife Caroline and new born son Patrick Daniel.
Harrington was a short-priced favourite to claim the first prize of just over €23,000 from a total prize fund of €137,000.
Such riches ensure that the IPGA Championship is the best-endowed closed national championship in Europe.
Harrington’s Ryder Cup team-mate Paul McGinley is expected to now take the favourites tag.
He had four solid rounds to his credit in Munich at the weekend and will be seeking his fourth win in the event.
McGinley is the defending champion having survived appalling conditions in Westport last year while he also came out on top at Baltray in 2000 and Fota Island in 1997.
Gary Murphy, enjoying a great season in Europe, is also in the field and among the many other interesting names are those of Michael Hoey, who has virtually disappeared from the scene after showing up extremely well in his early days as a professional; Waterville’s David Higgins, gradually working his way back having more or less taken a sabbatical from Tour golf; John McHenry and former amateur stars Ciaran McMonagle and Tim Rice, both battling hard to find a niche in the professional game.
This is the first time the championship has taken place in Limerick since 1973, when Jimmy Kinsella prevailed at Limerick Golf Club and it is the 14th year of the Smurfit sponsorship.
In that time, the tournament has visited every province at least twice.
All the foremost Irish professionals have been successful at one time or another and topping the list are the legendary Christy O’Connor Senior and Harry Bradshaw with 10 titles each.
Des Smyth has come closest with six wins and his victory in 2002 made him unique as he became the only man to capture the trophy in four separate decades.
He was also the last to successfully defend the title, at Waterville in 1986.
This week, all 102 professionals will play over the first two days with the top 46 and ties going through to the weekend.
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