Irish Open likely to be Nissan’s last

THE Irish Open at Carton House on May 18-21 is likely to be the last sponsored by Nissan Ireland, but chief executive Gerard O’Toole is unlikely to declare his intentions until at least the final day of the tournament.

However, Nissan will be more than gratified by the quality already received for this year’s event with a record prize fund of €2.2million.

The entry is headed by reigning US Open Champion Michael Campbell, the first winner under the Nissan flag at Portmarnock in 2003. Add in three times champion and 2005 European number one Colin Montgomerie, Ireland’s Ryder Cup heroes Darren Clarke, Padraig Harrington and Paul McGinley along with a host of other world-class players.

Campbell is always afforded a warm welcome in Ireland, and the popular New Zealander arrives in Maynooth still basking in the memory of his fantastic victory at Pinehurst last June.

Montgomerie has endeared himself to Irish golfing fans on three occasions with victories in the 1996, 1997 and 2001 editions of the Irish Open, and he would love to complete a fantastic fourth victory over a course that carries his name.

The 42 year old Scot is joined in the field by 2004 Ryder Cup team mates Paul Casey, and David Howell of England, and all three will be hoping for the victory at Carton House which would edge them closer to retaining their places on the side that won at Oakland Hills in 2004. Howell lost out on the 2005 Nissan Irish Open after a sudden-death play-off with Welshman Stephen Dodd.

Dodd is relishing the chance to return to the scene of his second European Tour success: “It is always nice to go back to places that you have done well at and felt comfortable with.

“It brings back fond memories and I am looking forward to going back there. I hit it straight off the tee and my short game was good last year, so I am hoping to take some of that with me when I go back.

Other notable names in the field so far include former Ryder Cup players Thomas Björn of Denmark, Paul Broadhurst of England, Swedes Joakim Haeggman and Niclas Fasth and Welshman Philip Price, while 2006 European Tour winners Kevin Stadler of the USA, England’s Simon Dyson, Singaporean Mardan Mamat and Johan Edfors of Sweden will also tee up at Carton House.

Meanwhile, Colin Montgomerie hopes a return to action in Asia will provide him with the “platform” to end a run of five missed halfway cuts.

The Scot will headline an elite field in the £1million BMW Asian Open starting in Shanghai today.

The eight-time European Order of Merit winner’s most recent missed cut came at the US Masters but the 42-year-old will hope to rediscover his best form at the par-72 Tomson Golf Club.

The tournament has been hit by the late withdrawals of injured English duo Luke Donald and David Howell, but Montgomerie remains one of the biggest draws in an event co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours.

Donald pulled out because of an eye infection while Howell is nursing a hip injury.

Montgomerie, who has not won on the European Tour since December’s UBS Hong Kong Open, is glad to be back where he is “comfortable”.

“I have just had a bad run with the putter,” he said. “Augusta was very disappointing with the putter again for the 14th year in a row but never mind, we’ll get going here.

“You spend a lot of time in America, a month there, and don’t make a cut in three tournaments and that is disappointing.

“Sometimes it is a blessing in disguise because it forces you to change something.”

Montgomerie feels Shanghai will provide the perfect platform to get back on track.

“I feel very comfortable here in Asia. I have won a few times over here.

“I think this is a platform for me to get going.”

Henrik Stenson will also be hoping to get back into the groove as the highest-ranked player in the field at 15th in the world - one rung above Montgomerie.

The stylish Swede has not won since the Qatar Masters in January and will be looking to regain his early 2006 form which saw him finish runner-up in the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship in January, a creditable seventh in the Dubai Desert Classic in February and third in the Players Championship in March.

“I have not been swinging it well and have not been able to place the ball where I want to,” said Stenson.

“At the US Masters, I had a bad finish on the first day on the last two holes and I lost my patience, and you can’t do that at Augusta.

“It was a good experience for next year where I hope to do better.”

Stenson believes Montgomerie might reproduce his sparkling form in Shanghai and take his place among the leaders on Sunday.

“He’s always a challenger with all the experience he has got,” said the 30-year-old Swede.

Also in the field are Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez, Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn, Paul Casey and six-time major winner Nick Faldo.

“Miguel and Thomas are good players. It’s always hard to know who you are going to have to beat to win the tournament,” added Stenson.