Record prize fund on offer at Smurfit European Open
The event, one of the European Tour's flagship tournaments, will revert to the Palmer Course (formerly the North Course) which will also host the 2006 Ryder Cup after being played on the Smurfit (South) Course last year.
"This is another significant landmark in the Tour's special relationship with the Jefferson Smurfit Group," said European Tour executive director George O'Grady.
"The Smurfit European Open has grown substantially during the decade since our move to The K Club and we thank Dr Michael Smurfit for his vision in bringing the event to this superb venue and also his role in developing the prize fund to a new record level in 2005."
South African Retief Goosen, the US Open champion, won the tournament last year by five shots.
Meanwhile former Ryder Cup captain Mark James has backed Ian Woosnam ahead of Nick Faldo to lead Europe at The K Club.
Woosnam and Faldo are the leading contenders for the coveted post, with Sandy Lyle also in the running after Bernhard Langer ruled himself out of a second stint in charge.
Ryder Cup officials will make their decision next month and James believes personality is key to building on the success of last year's triumph in Detroit.
James, skipper at Brookline in 1999, claims Faldo would be better suited to take on the job in America in 2008.
"I think Woosie is the best candidate for the next Ryder Cup and probably Nick for the one after that," James said.
"I think we need a more emotive person to connect with the home crowd.
"That is more of an asset for a home Ryder Cup and I think someone with a more detached, clinical mindset is better over there. I think that sort of describes both men's personalities."
James was impressed with the quality in Langer's squad at Oakland Hills and admits he was surprised by the margin of victory.
"Once the teams began to take shape it didn't look to me like we wouldn't win," he added.
"I thought they would win by three points and as it turned out it was a lot more than that."
James is unlikely to attempt to qualify for this year's British Open at St Andrews despite his current Champions Tour form.
James won the ACE Group Classic at the weekend, but said: "I could do without playing at St Andrews, I don't like it.
"I don't know if I'll try to qualify, there's too much going on at seniors level. Qualifying is hard at the moment as it clashes with other things.
"I'm concentrating on the American seniors tour at the moment."
Meanwhile, Pádraig Harrington's Charitable Foundation has donated €50,000 to the Tsunami Aid Appeal the proceeds from a charity show staged by the Irishman in Dublin last month.
"The European Tour and the membership are doing all they can to encourage all involved in golf to support the International Relief Golf Fund and I'm delighted to make this contribution," said Harrington.
The International Relief Golf Fund was set up by the European Tour after the Asian disaster with an initial £50,000 donation with players making their own contributions.
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