Golf’s Irish Open announced a three-year title sponsorship deal with mobile phone network 3, worth €3 million.
The European Tour said the sponsorship deal would secure the future of the Irish Open for the next three years.
“We are delighted to enter into this three-year agreement with 3, which will see a championship with such a distinguished heritage as the Irish Open join forces with an innovative brand as title sponsor,” said George O’Grady, European Tour chief executive at yesterday’s announcement at the Westbury Hotel in Dublin.
It was also announced there would be 20 per cent increase in prize money after signing the new sponsor. This year’s tournament held at County Louth Golf Club in Drogheda from May 14-17 will offer prize money of €3 million.
The Irish Open has struggled to attract the best fields in recent years and it is hoped the increase in prize money will secure the involvement of Europe’s top players.
Outside of the four majors and the World Golf Championships, only five tournaments now offer greater prize money that the Irish Open.
