Woods jets in for pro-am

The best line-up of golfing stars in Europe this year lines up at Adare in Ireland tomorrow and Tuesday – not for a European tour event, but for a pro-am.

Tiger Woods and Luke Donald are flying in from the Western Open in Chicago to join the likes of Ernie Els, Michael Campbell, Davis Love, Padraig Harrington, Darren Clarke, Colin Montgomerie, Fred Couples and Laura Davies.

The event is the JP McManus Pro-am, held every five years to raise millions for charity. Last time it ended with an auction where €1.5m was paid for a round of golf with Woods in Florida.

It shows the contacts racehorse owner McManus has made in golf over the years that he can attract such a list.

For Woods it fits in with his plans to arrive early for the coming Open at St Andrews.