Harrington's decision to defend title boost to organisers

Irish PGA Championship: The PGA Irish Professional Championship begins today at The PGA National Ireland golf course at Palmerstown House, Johnstown, Co Kildare, a tournament bolstered by the presence of Padraig Harrington. The world number 12 originally indicated he wouldn't be able to fit the event into his schedule so his change of mind is a huge plus.

Not only does it guarantee the presence of the defending champion - it also offers the Irish public an opportunity to view at close hand one of the country's leading sportsmen.

The Stackstown man won last year's championship after an entertaining head-to-head tussle with Philip Walton over the St Margaret's course.

The Irish PGA is the first major event to be held at The PGA National Ireland, a course that opened only in May.

The PGA Irish Region entered into an agreement with the owners of the Palmerstown House estate to allow it to become the home of the PGA in Ireland and also saw it renamed PGA National Ireland.

The course layout at the 800-acre Palmerstown House estate was designed by Christy O'Connor jnr. It makes use of the many mature trees on the estate, especially over the sumptuous front nine that meanders against a sylvan backdrop; the course measuring 7,419 yards from the championship tees.

The Irish PGA Championship is the longest-established professional golf event in Ireland (1907) and offers a prize-fund this year of €140,000. There were two qualifying rounds to arrive at the final field, which includes Harrington, Peter Lawrie, Damien McGrane, Gary Murphy and Stephen Browne.

Former champions Philip Walton and Neil Manchip - he famously beat Darren Clarke at the Island - and course designer Christy O'Connor jnr will also tee it up.

Paul McGinley, a four-time winner of the tournament, is otherwise engaged, playing in the World Matchplay at Wentworth.

Six-time winner Des Smyth is another notable absentee. In claiming those six titles Smyth created his own piece of history by being the only man to capture the famous trophy in four separate decades: he won in the 70s, the 80s, the 90s and 2001.

Michael McCumiskey, secretary of the Irish Regional PGA, enthused: "We have worked closely with Jim Mansfield, Gary Silcock and his team at PGA National and will ultimately roll out many different initiatives from The PGA National Ireland.

"It's a wonderful venue for this event and will undoubtedly be a major test for the players."