A radical fixture switch is set to boost this year's Smurfit Irish Professional Championship. By staging the event from April 25th to 28th, on the week following the Seve Trophy, organisers expect to have the country's top three players in the field.
I understand that former champions Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley have indicated their willingness to play. And it is hoped that Padraig Harrington, the 1998 champion, will also be in the line-up.
Michael McCummiskey, secretary of the PGA Irish Region, has confirmed the switch from the October slot used in recent years. "At one stage, it made sense for us to run against the World Matchplay at Wentworth, but not any more.
"For a start, the matchplay has been moved this year to the third week in October, which is very late for us. Then there is the point that with Darren and Padraig getting into the Wentworth field in recent years, that particular week became less attractive."
Clarke, who will be appearing in the Seve Trophy, has not played in the Irish Championship since 1999, when he was runner-up to Neil Manchip at The Island. Harrington has been absent since his win at Powerscourt. The only ever-present member of the big three has been Paul McGinley, who won the title for a second time at Baltray in 2000.
Negotiations about this year's venue are under way. Sligo have expressed a desire to stage the event.
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