Eight-times European number one Colin Montgomerie and US Open champion Michael Campbell will chase a record prize fund of €2.2 million in next month's Irish Open.
Montgomerie's bid for a fourth victory in the tournament will be boosted by playing at a course he helped design, Carton House in Maynooth, County Kildare. The 42-year-old Scot won in 1996, 1997 and 2001.
Irish support of course will be reserved for Padraig Harrington, Paul McGinley and Darren Clarke.
Harrington and McGinley will be trying to emulate John O'Leary, the last home winner of the event in 1982. New Zealander Campbell is seeking his second Irish Open title, having won at Portmarnock three years ago.
Also in the field is order of merit leader David Howell, who lost to fellow Briton Stephen Dodd in a play-off last year.
Welshman Dodd, who triumphed after a birdie at the first extra hole, cannot wait to return to the scene of his second European Tour win.
"The crowds are always great at the Irish Opens. They gave me great support throughout the week which was much appreciated," Dodd said in a news release.
The Irish Open starts on May 18th.
