Okay, so even the dogs in the street knew that the biggest cat of all was coming to Kilkenny to compete in the American Express world championship at Mount Juliet on September 19th-22nd, writes Philip Reid

All the same, yesterday's official confirmation that Tiger Woods will be participating in the event at least dispelled any small doubts that the world number one wouldn't make it and means that all of this season's major winners are now confirmed to play.

Ernie Els, the British Open champion, and Rich Beem, who won his first major at the recent US PGA, had previously entered and Woods, the US Masters and US Open champion, has now completed the full hand.

As championship director Peter Adams remarked upon hearing that Woods had now entered, "it is great news and further enhances what is already the strongest field assembled in Ireland."

Meanwhile, Padraig Harrington's schedule will remain unchanged after he was given the all-clear to return to action after an ankle scan earlier this week revealed only a slight inflammation in the ligaments. He had turned his ankle when playing in the Dutch Open in late July.