New US Open Champion Angel Cabrera has added the Smurfit Kappa European Open to his playing schedule, meaning that five Major Champions will feature in the field at The K Club, Co. Kildare, Ireland, from July 5-8, 2007.

Cabrera penned his name into the golfing history books when he became the first Argentine to lift the US Open trophy, having held off the challenges of World Number One Tiger Woods and another former winner, Jim Furyk, at Oakmont Country Club.

Cabrera shot a final round of 69, one of only two rounds under par on the final day, for a five over par total of 285, one better than Woods and Furyk.

Having successfully scaled one of golf’s four Major peaks, Cabrera will next week turn his attentions to securing a maiden victory in the Smurfit Kappa European Open.

The big-hitting South American has an impressive record at The K Club with six top-ten finishes in his 11 previous appearances in the tournament, the highlight of which was his second place in 2000. Cabrera led after 54 holes seven years ago but was ultimately beaten by a stroke when England’s Lee Westwood closed with a brilliant round of 66.

If Cabrera can manage to go one better next week, he will become the third US Open winner to capture the Smurfit Kappa European Open title at The K Club after New Zealand’s Michael Campbell in 2002 and South African Retief Goosen in 2004.

Campbell and Cabrera are joined next week by fellow Major Champions Paul Lawrie, Sandy Lyle, both of Scotland, and Ian Woosnam of Wales while Sweden’s Niclas Fasth, who finished fourth behind Cabrera at Oakmont, has also confirmed his participation just two days after his brilliant victory in the BMW International Open in Munich.

Cabrera said: “I have always enjoyed playing in Ireland, where the fans are both appreciative and knowledgeable. There’s a great atmosphere about The K Club and I’ve done well there in the past and look forward to getting another chance to win one of the leading titles on The European Tour.”

The 2007 Smurfit Kappa European Open will be played over the Smurfit Course with a prize fund of £2,400,000 and, once again, the public can enjoy the first day’s play for free thanks to the ‘Free Ticket Thursday’ initiative from Ulster Bank. The application process for free tickets has now closed with more than 30,000 availing of the offer.

Gary McGann, Chief Executive Officer of title sponsor Smurfit Kappa Group, said: “It will be a privilege to welcome Angel Cabrera back to The K Club as US Open Champion and I am certain the 30,000 or so fans that are expected to attend the first round will afford him a rousing reception.

“Last year we had a record 29,000 people through the gates on Thursday and I would like to take this opportunity to applaud the foresight and commitment shown by Ulster Bank in continuing this initiative.”

To complement Ulster Bank’s offer, the tournament organisers have restructured their usual ticketing policy for the event by producing a special ‘Long Weekend Ticket’ which permits entry on Friday July 6, Saturday July 7 and Sunday July 8 for a total cost of €70.

A one-day ticket is priced at €25 if purchased before Monday July 2 and €35 on the gate, while for Senior Citizens the charge is €10 in advance and €15 on the day. Entry for U-16s is free providing they are accompanied by an adult. The ticketing hotline number is +353 (081) 871 9300. For hospitality information, telephone +353 (01) 601 7370 or contact The European Tour Hospitality Department on +44 1344 840400.

For further information, please contact:
European Tour Communications Division
Tel: +44 (0) 1344 840400 Fax: +44 (0) 1344 840444
Email: media@europeantour.com