Design elements: A bit like a plastic surgeon asked to do some repair work to a favoured patient, Colin Montgomerie - the course's designer - would like to perform some minor nip-'n'-tuck surgery to the Montgomerie Course at Carton House for next year's Nissan Irish Open.

Montgomerie elaborated as the title sponsors confirmed yesterday the tournament would return here again in 12 months' times.

Nothing too extreme, the tweaking by Montgomerie would essentially provide the players with some more space in the landing areas on a number of holes, particularly on the fourth and the sixth.

"I think the rough has been grown in too severely on the right of the fourth hole and that will be changed to give players more opportunity of laying up on the right of the hole as opposed to going in the bunker on the left," said Montgomerie, who also revealed he envisages creating a bigger landing area on the sixth fairway.

"This is the first time I've ever felt sorry for players in bunkers," admitted the Scot.

"Some came in and said the course was tough but I make no apologies for that. I think it's a good test of golf, it has a British Open feel.

"It has been a real mental battle and that's what was intended. I think this is the best test we've had on tour so far this year."

Apart from widening a few fairways for next year, Montgomerie would love to make a bigger change involving the redesign of the 18th hole as a par five with the green on the far side of the River Rye.

"I always wanted to make the 18th over there," he said, pointing to where the corporate hospitality tents were located.

"It would have a minimum 150 yards' carry, so many amateurs would probably empty their bag before they got to the green."

Monty's philosophy would entail creating a tournament green on the far side of the river, with the existing green remaining in play for amateurs.

"My goal is to make it even better than it is, to have the toughest and best course around. I liked that as a player and I'd like to do that as a golf course designer as well," said Montgomerie, who plays in this week's BMW Championship at Wentworth seeking the top-five finish that is likely to be needed to move him back into the world's top 50 in time to avoid having to qualify for next month's US Open at Pinehurst.

Nissan Ireland confirmed they will continue their sponsorship of the Irish Open in 2006, which will be their fourth year as title sponsor.

It will return in the same slot in the PGA European Tour schedule - on May 18th-21st - and Gerard O'Toole, executive chairman of Nissan Ireland, said he was "genuinely delighted" that the sponsorship was continuing.

It will be the first time since Nissan's sponsorship commenced that the event will remain at the same venue, having been staged in Portmarnock in 2003 and Baltray in 2004.