Padraig Harrington and Graeme McDowell are the latest Irish stars confirmed to play the Quinn Direct British Masters in May and will join fellow countrymen Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley at the Belfry.
"I'm really looking forward to the tournament," said Harrington. "The competition is tough, but I am playing my way into some pretty good form this season , so I hope have a good week at The De Vere Belfry."
The event, which takes place from May 11th-14th, marks the first tournament of a four-week run as the European Tour comes to Britain and Ireland for the first time this season.
One week after the Belfry, Carton House will host the Nissan Irish Open for the second year in succession. The BMW Championship at Wentworth and the Wales Open at Celtic Manor complete the run.
McDowell's transition to compete this side of the Atlantic could arrive at an opportune time as the Portrush professional has struggled in the early part of his season competing on the US Tour.
Having missed four cuts in four starts, plus losing to Vijay Singh in the first round of the World match play, the 27-year-old needs to kick-start his campaign.
"Things haven't been great for me recently," said McDowell who has dropped out of the top 50 to 72nd in the world rankings.
"I'm working hard on my game and relish the challenge that lies ahead - it promises to be an exciting tournament," he added referring to the British Masters where he tied 16th last year, three behind Clarke who tied eighth.
Andrew "Chubby" Chandler, whose company International Sports Management (ISM) manages Clarke, McGinley and McDowell, said: "I'm delighted that Padraig has entered in this year's event. The strength of the Irish deputation demonstrates that the tournament is held in high esteem and that top golfers are keen to return to The De Vere Belfry and compete in the first British event of The European Tour."
McGinley, like Clarke and Harrington, will always hold fond memories of the Belfry, as it was the venue where the Dubliner holed the winning putt for Europe in the 2002 Ryder Cup. The Sutton Coldfield course has hosted the Ryder Cup on four occasions.
