Minister has Open mind

GOLF: As yet, there is no sponsor and no venue for next year's Irish Open - but John O'Donoghue, the Minister for Sport, insisted yesterday it would be "incongruous" for the tournament, one of the most popular on the European Tour, not to take place.

"It would be incongruous to promote Irish golf tourism and not to have an Irish Open. We've got to work to ensure there is one," the Minister said yesterday.

It is the strongest indication yet the tournament will survive. Asked how optimistic he was the event would take place, O'Donoghue replied "more than 50 per cent."

There is still time to rescue the event. Only the early part of next year's tour schedule - up to the Qatar Masters in March - has been decided, and the remainder of the itinerary is unlikely to be available until after the Volvo Masters in a little over two weeks time.

Niall Reddy, acting chief executive of Bord Fáilte, said he was "extremely optimistic" there would be an Irish Open in 2003. However, he said his preferred option would be a continuation of the public-private partnership approach to sponsorship.

Padraig Harrington, who yesterday announced a new sponsorship deal with Bord Fáilte, said: "As a golfer I can't think of not having an Irish Open. It is one of the most popular events amongst all the players. If there was a voting system, it would certainly rank very high; it would be right up there. It is hard for me not to see an Irish Open and I believe there is going to be one. There is still plenty of time to organise something."