€1 million bonus provides sex and violence

Next month's Irish Open winner could bank a massive €2.1 million pay day - for just two weeks work.

Adare Manor boss Tom Kane has put up a cool one million euro bonus for the player who can win the Irish Open AND the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth the following week.

Kane said: "It's one of those little enhancements that is going to add a little sex and violence to the event.

"I think it might convince a few of the guys to come over to Adare and have a crack at it.

"To the journeyman it won't make any difference, but it is an incentive to the guys who think they can win golf tournaments and it will certainly add some pizzazz to the event."

Several of Europe's top guns have said that they will be resting when the Irish Open is played at the testing Limerick track for the first time from May 17-20.

Ryder Cup stars such as Jose Maria Olazabal, Luke Donald, David Howell and Sergio Garcia have no plans to stop off in Ireland after the Players Championship at Sawgrass, which takes place the week before.

But with the million euro bonus deal set to run next year as well, Kane hopes that they will change their minds or pencil Adare into their diaries for 2008 at the very least.

He said: "We've been sitting on this for a while and if some of those guys can't make it this year, I'm sure they will give it serious consideration next year.

"It's all about increasing the prestige of the Irish Open and adding a little more spice to the occasion. Irish fans love this kind of deal."

The Irish Open winner will take home €416,660 - €50,000 more than Thomas Bjorn pocketed for his win at Carton House last season.

And with €725,000 earmarked for the winner of the prestigious BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth the following week, the player completing the 'double' will take home a massive €2,141,660.

No-one has previously won the two titles back to back as the tournaments have historically been played in different months.

Legends Seve Ballesteros (1983), Bernhard Langer (1987) and Ian Woosnam (1988) have all captured the Irish Open and PGA Championship in the same season.

And stars like Nick Faldo, Colin Montgomerie and Olazábal have also won both events - but in different years.

Kane added: "I am delighted that we now have in place a mutually beneficial association with an event as prestigious as the BMW PGA Championship and I firmly believe it reinforces our commitment to creating a new and improved brand for the Irish Open."

George O’Grady, Chief Executive of the European Tour, said: “The Irish Open and the BMW PGA Championship are two highly sought-after titles on the European Tour International Schedule.

"And the concept of the €1 million bonus for winning both events adds extra spice to two outstanding weeks of golf in Ireland and England."

Defending champion Bjorn, Scot Montgomerie and Irish trio Padraig Harrington, Paul McGinley and Darren Clarke will definitely tee it up in both events.