Campbell commits to Irish Open

News: Open champion Michael Campbell has confirmed he will contest this year's Nissan Irish Open at Carton House, outside Maynooth, on May 18th-21st, a month before the New Zealander defends his major title at Winged Foot in New York.

"The Irish Open is one of my favourite tournaments and, as a former champion, I know I will always be linked to the championship. That's an extra reason for wanting to play. It's a great championship, steeped in history, and it's also great playing in front of appreciative crowds."

Campbell has included the Irish Open in a stretch of four straight tournaments on the European Tour, that will also include the preceding week's Quinn Direct British Masters, the following week's BMW Championship and the Wales Open.

Tiger Woods will make his second appearance in the World Matchplay Championship at Wentworth in September, eight years after his first. The world number one will chase the first prize of €1 million, the richest in golf, in the elite 16-man event at Virginia Water in Surrey from September 14th-17th.

"The World Matchplay Championship is in its 43rd year and has a great history with some awesome winners," Woods was quoted as saying on the European Tour's official website yesterday. "I would love to win it and hope that this year will be my year."

In his only previous appearance in 1998, Woods surrendered a four-hole lead when he lost to his close friend Mark O'Meara on the last green of the final.

The 30-year-old's decision to play means he will compete in Britain and Ireland for three successive weeks in September.

The World Matchplay is followed by the Ryder Cup at the K Club from September 22nd-24th and the WGC-American Express Championship at the Grove course in Hertfordshire from September 28th-October 1st.

"With the Ryder Cup set for the following week, the 36-hole matchplay format (at Wentworth) will be good preparation and we will all be looking for some confidence-boosting wins," said Woods.

Joining the 10-times major winner in this year's field will be holder Campbell, who defeated Ireland's Paul McGinley 2 and 1 in the 2005 final.