Sponsorship struggle for Irish PGA

Hopes of staging the Irish PGA at The European Club suffered a blow this week as talks with a potential sponsor came to nothing.

PGA Irish Region secretary Michael McCumiskey was hopeful of landing a new backer earlier this week.

But the target company said no on Tuesday, putting McCumiskey back to square one in his sponsorship search.

Padraig Harrington has committed to playing in the event if it can be staged on a links course from 12-15 July - the week before the Open at Carnoustie.