Irish Open:Pádraig Harrington today confirmed he will compete in next month's 3 Irish Open at County Louth Golf Club which takes place on the Baltray links from May 14-17.

The three-time major winner won the event at Adare Manor in Limerick in 2007, bridging the long 25-year gap to the last Irish winner when John O’Leary won back in 1982.

The 37-year-old will also use the opportunity to test his game on one of Ireland’s finest links ahead of his defence of the British Open at Turnberry, Scotland in July.

“I think that with this year’s event being on a classic links course like Baltray, it could instil a lot of confidence and assist when looking ahead to Turnberry and going there to try and defend The Open again,” said Harrington.

“Playing The Irish Open on a links course will, in a way, naturally start my preparations for The Open because so many of the conditions will be similar.

Harrington believes his win in Adare in 2007 contributed hugely to his success at the Open the same year.

“You couldn't underestimate how important winning The Irish Open was in terms of going onto win The Open at Carnoustie,” said Harrignton. “It told me that I could go and win a tournament under a lot of focus, pressure and distractions, which gives you a huge amount of self-confidence when you can come through something like that.

Robert Finnegan, 3 chief executive was delighted with today’s news: "We are honoured and delighted to have Pádraig Harrington playing in The 3 Irish Open.

“As a three-time major winner Pádraig is aiming to win his third Open in a row…we hope everyone gets behind Padraig at The 3 Irish Open to demonstrate the huge support that exists up and down the country for our most decorated golfing hero."