Garcia and Harrington Re-Live Open Rivalry

Sergio Garcia and Padraig Harrington will lock horns on British soil for the first time since their epic Open Championship duel last year when they will renew their rivalry in The European Open at The London Golf Club, Kent, from July 3-6. Garcia and Harrington will be joined in a world-class field by the defending champion Colin Montgomerie and reigning European Tour Number One Justin Rose for the £2.4million event, played over the Jack Nicklaus-designed Heritage Course. Last July Garcia and Harrington went head-to-head in a four hole play-off at Carnoustie, with Harrington emerging victorious to be crowned The Open Champion, and two weeks before memories of that encounter are rekindled at Royal Birkdale, the pair will line-up at The London Golf Club. Garcia will be making his first appearance in Europe since winning The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass last month. It was the biggest of his 17 titles worldwide and lifted him back into the top ten in the Official World Golf Ranking in addition to boosting his prospects of a fifth successive Ryder Cup appearance for Europe against the United States. Harrington, the World Number 12, will be looking to fine tune his game ahead of his Open Championship defence from July 17-20 by claiming his first title in England. Rose heads to The London Golf Club having recently finished joint runner-up in the Memorial Tournament, a performance which lifted him to World Number Six and the position of the highest placed European on the Official World Golf Ranking. Montgomerie became the most prolific British winner in European Tour history when he claimed his 31st title by winning The European Open at The K Club in Ireland twelve months ago, surpassing Nick Faldo’s record of 30 wins. England’s Richard Finch, who alongside Tiger Woods has the distinction of being a multiple winner of The 2008 European Tour International Schedule, is also in the field alongside other 2008 champions, Felipe Aguilar, Grégory Bourdy, John Bickerton, Mark Brown, S S P Chowrasia, Alastair Forsyth, James Kingston, Peter Lawrie, Thomas Levet, Graeme McDowell, Damien McGrane, Hennie Otto, Jeev Milkha Singh and Scott Strange. Situated just 25 miles from central London and easily accessible by road and rail, the Club was designed with large-scale events in mind. Natural grandstands surround almost every hole on the 7,254 yards, par 72 Heritage Course, making it ideal for hosting the large number of spectators anticipated for The European Open, now in its 31st year. Golf fans will be able to enjoy the first day’s play free of charge on Free Ticket Thursday, with the chance to watch one of the subsequent days at a substantially discounted rate. Any spectators wishing to take advantage of this unmissable offer should log on to the official website www.europeantourtickets.com to apply for up to two tickets per person. Electronic tickets will then be e mailed to applicants, incorporating details of how to collect discounted tickets for any one of the following three rounds. The Free Ticket Thursday e-tickets can be exchanged at the course on July 3 only for tickets for play on Friday, Saturday or Sunday at a cost of £15 each – a saving of £10 on the daily admission price on the gate. Senior citizens (aged 60 and over) will be entitled to a reduction from £15 to £5. A full price Adult Season Ticket costs £50 if purchased before Sunday June 22, and £60 on the gate during tournament week. A one day ticket is priced at £20 if purchased before Sunday June 22 and £25 on the gate, while for senior citizens the charge for a season ticket is £25 in advance and £35 on the gate. Senior day tickets are £10 in advance, and £15 on the gate. Entry for under 16s is free, providing they are accompanied by an adult. All public parking is also free of charge. Further information on the Free Ticket Thursday offer is available by calling 0800 0232557. Telephone applicants will receive their information by post. The European Open is also an opportunity to experience the finest hospitality. Situated alongside the 18th Green, with stunning views of the treacherous closing hole and panoramic views out across the course, The European Open Pavilion offers a wonderful sporting experience. For details of the hospitality packages, please contact David Watt, Hospitality Sales Manager, on +44 (0)1344 840 483 or dwatt@europeantour.com.