Fota attracts best of Irish

An enhanced prize fund of £108,000 has ensured that Ireland's regular European Tour players - with the exception of Darren Clarke, who is playing in the Toyota World Matchplay - have returned home in the quest for the Smurfit Irish PGA Championship which takes place at Fota Island this week.

Des Smyth, seeking a sixth national title, defends the championship he won at Slieve Russell last year. Paul McGinley and Padraig Harrington will use the event as part of their final preparations for their Alfred Dunhill Cup commitments next week, while other touring players in the field include Philip Walton, Raymond Burns, Eamonn Darcy, David Higgins and Christy O'Connor Jnr.