Smyth heads strongest field

The AIB Irish Seniors Open, in association with Greenstar and Fáilte Ireland, has attracted the strongest ever field for the tournament that takes place at The Heritage in Killenard from June 3rd-5th.

Ireland's Des Smyth - he finished in a tie for 25th place in the Blue Angels Classic on the Champions Tour in America at the weekend - and Eamonn Darcy will make their respective debuts in the tournament while Sam Torrance will also grace the event for the first time.

In all 11 former Ryder Cup players are in the field at the close of entries for what is one of the most popular and eagerly awaited contests on the European Seniors Tour. Joining Darcy, Smyth and Torrance, will be home favourites Christy O'Connor Jnr and Eddie Polland along with Englishmen Maurice Bembridge, Neil Coles, Malcolm Gregson and Tommy Horton and the Spanish duo of Antonio Garrido and Manuel Piñero.

Defending champion Carl Mason has signed up to try and hang on to the trophy over the superb new Seve Ballesteros course, the seventh different venue in the nine years of the AIB Irish Seniors Open.

The prize fund of €400,000 is almost four times the €105,000 on offer when Horton won the inaugural staging of the tournament in 1997.

Smyth will start as one of the favourites for the title, having already claimed two titles on the US Champions Tour this season. "This is an event I have always wanted to play but until this year, my other commitments have prevented it," said Smyth.

"However my early season victories in America this year have given me more flexibility and I am relishing the prospect of playing The Heritage at Killenard. I have heard great things about the course," he added.