THIS year's Irish Open at Royal Co Down will have the financial backing of Dubai Duty Free. The showpiece event in the Irish golfing calendar takes place at the Newcastle venue from May 28 to 31 and will be hosted by the Rory Foundation.
The exact purse that the players will play for was not disclosed but George O'Grady, chief executive of the European Tour, did reveal that the €2m prize fund for last year's event at Fota Island will be improved.
"That will definitely go up," he promised, "but I don't know by what amount. That is yet to be decided."
Rory McIlroy wasn't present at yesterday's announcement but sent his thoughts on the sponsorship news.
"Dubai Duty Free is a strong global brand with great experience in sports sponsorship through golf, tennis and horse racing. The European Tour and I have strong links to Dubai and I'm sure Dubai Duty Free will bring a lot to this event and add to its already great prestige."
Also there to launch the sponsorship was Dubai Duty Free executive vice-president Colm McLoughlin who expressed delight with the news he had brought.
"The tournament has a tremendous history and is the flagship golf event in Ireland, providing thrilling golfing action for spectators and television viewers around the world.
''This year's tournament features a fantastic line-up and we are very much looking forward to working with Rory McIlroy and his Foundation and the European Tour."
It was also announced yesterday that veteran Irish professional Des Smyth will act as tournament ambassador.
"I got a call from Colm McLoughlin, on behalf of the sponsors, asking me if I would like to be involved with the Irish Open this year and I had to think about it for a while,'' said Smyth.
''My problem was that there is a big Seniors Tour event the same week and, of course, it is the Seniors Tour that I am involved with now.''
"Colm also asked me if I would like to play in the Irish Open as a sponsor's invite but I said 'no' to that. I'm a senior player now and enjoying that so I didn't take up Colm's offer," stressed Smyth who finished third on two occasions in the Irish Open.
"I haven't played here at Royal County Down for a long time but it is a tremendous course and looks fantastic in today's sunshine. I will have a good whip around it before the Irish Open and, maybe, be able to give some of the players a few pointers.''
* NO SECRET SQUIRREL: Ian Poulter watches an intruder during his second round at the Valspar Championship in Florida yesterday. Poulter shot a second round of 70 to lie just two shots off the lead held by Brendan de Jonge. Ireland's Padraig Harrington missed the cut after rounds of 76 and 72