Tiger heading for Mount Juliet

Defending champion Tiger Woods has confirmed his participation in next week’s World Golf Championships – American Express Championship at Mount Juliet Conrad in County Kilkenny.

The 28-year-old will be going for his third successive tournament victory and his fourth overall when he makes his second competitive appearance in Ireland from September 30.

Woods’ inclusion in the field means that nine of the top 10 players in the official world rankings will be competing in Thomastown, much to the delight of Peter Adams, the tournament’s executive director.

He said: “Not only is it fantastic news that Tiger Woods has confirmed that he will be defending his World Golf Championships – American Express Championship title, this year’s event will also showcase, at this time, 10 of Europe’s 12 Ryder Cup heroes.

“(The tournament) also provides the ideal opportunity for Irish golf fans to welcome home the Irish Ryder Cup trio of (Darren) Clarke, (Padraig) Harrington and (Paul) McGinley, following Europe’s win in Detroit.”

The trio will be joined in the field by several other key figures from Oakland Hills, where Europe retained the Ryder Cup last weekend by a record 18 1/2 – 9 1/2 margin over their US counterparts.

Paul Casey, Luke Donald, Sergio Garcia, David Howell, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Thomas Levet and Lee Westwood will all battle it out for the title along with nine of the American team.

Chad Campbell, Stewart Cink, Jim Furyk, Jay Haas, Davis Love III, Chris DiMarco, Chris Riley, David Toms and Woods have all confirmed their participation.

World number four Phil Mickelson has withdrawn from the event for personal reasons.