Date set for Ladies Irish Open

While the future of the men’s Irish Open is still under discussion the Ladies European Open have announced that the AIB Ladies Irish Open, supported by Fáilte Ireland, will return to Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links next June 26-28 with prize money increased to €500,000.

Norway’s Suzann Pettersen, the current world number five, won the event last year and tournament organiser Roddy Carr said: “We are looking forward to announcing some big names early in the new year for the 2009 event.”

Sponsors AIB and Fáilte Ireland are both committed to the Ladies Irish Open until 2012 and to the 2011 Solheim Cup at Killeen Castle.