Tour to confirm Open for Killarney

EUROPEAN Tour officials will announce early next week that Killarney has retained the Irish Open for 2011 — ensuring another €30m windfall for Kerry’s tourism capital.

Tour chiefs will press ahead with the announcement, probably Monday, pending a few minor issues — and despite the fact that no sponsor has been secured to replace communications company, ‘3’.

It’s a huge shot in the arm for Killarney Golf Club and the town, which dovetailed superbly last August, impressing Tour players and officials alike. The Tour is continuing to work a two-pronged approach to sponsorship of the€3m event. They are continuing tentative discussions with regard to another significant corporate sponsor, but failing that, Fáilte Ireland has indicated that it will be part of a multi-tiered sponsorship agreement which will ensure the Irish Open’s status. The latter option would reduce the overall prize fund, however.