Stars chase €2.2m prize at Irish Open

Reigning US Open Champion Michael Campbell, Colin Montgomerie and Ireland’s Darren Clarke, Padraig Harrington and Paul McGinley will all assemble at Carton House, Maynooth, from May 18-21 for the 2006 Nissan Irish Open.

They will be chasing a record prize fund of €2.2m over the course designed by three-time former champion Montgomerie.

Paul Casey and David Howell of England will also be hoping for the victory at Carton House which would edge them closer to retaining their Ryder Cup places.

Howell lost out on the 2005 Nissan Irish Open after a sudden-death play-off with Welshman Stephen Dodd, who birdied the first extra play-off hole last year to record his second European Tour triumph.

Dodd is relishing the chance to return to the scene of his second European Tour success.

He said: "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 to it. 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.

"The crowds are always great at the Irish Opens too. They gave me great support throughout the week which was much appreciated. I’m looking forward to going back and playing in front of them again too."

Other notable names in the field for the 2006 Nissan Irish Open include former Ryder Cup players Thomas Björn of Denmark, Paul Broadhurst of England, Swedes Joakim Haeggman and Niclas Fasth and Welshman Philip Price.

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.