Tiger set for 2010 JP McManus Invitational

Tiger Woods will be back in Limerick in 2010 to battle Padraig Harrington for the JP McManus Invitational Pro-Am and raise millions for charity.

While he can command up to $3m in appearance fees, the world No 1 has answered the call by his Limerick pal to tee it up for free at stunning Adare Manor & Golf Resort from 5-6 July 2010.

Held every five years, the pro-am will have a prize fund of €1m though most of it is handed straight back to the charity by 56 of the world’s best players who will line out with three amateur partners over two days in an event that has raised an amazing €55.85m for charity since 1990.

Eight of the world's top 20 did their bit for JP five years ago and despite his busy schedule, Woods had no hesitation in telling the billionaire businessman and racehorse owner that he can count on him in 2010.

Announcing his plans for the charity extravaganza, McManus revealed: “When Tiger was asked, there was no looking at his diary, in fairness. He said, ‘Listen, I’ll be there.’

“There’s been no correspondence but when I spoke to him some time ago, almost a year ago, he committed to play, which was a marvellous start.

“He doesn’t say very much, but he just said, ‘If you need me I’ll be there.’ We’ve had little communication since but I know like all the pros, if they commit themselves, they’ll be there.”

McManus and Woods have become good friends since the 14-time Major winner turned up at Limerick Golf Club for the third edition of the now legendary Pro-Am in 2000.

And Limerick lover McManus hopes that despite the difficult economic climate, Irish people will continue to support charities for the underprivileged and disadvantaged.

The presence of Woods is a massive boost to an event which featured 13 Major champions and 31 Ryder Cup players in 2005 as well as celebrities such as Michael Owen, Gary Lineker, Jodie Kidd, Alan Hansen, Martin O'Neill, Tony McCoy, Mick Fitzgerald, John Magnier, John Francome, Eddie Jordan and Keith Wood.

And while Woods is likely to arrive feeling jet-lagged just 24 hours after he hosts the AT&T National on the PGA Tour, McManus has no doubt that they can overcome that obstacle.

He explained: “We’re very lucky that Tiger gives his time and that he commits himself to come here. He has his tournament in Washington [it will held at Aronimink Golf Club in Pennsylvania in 2010 and 2011, which finishes on the Sunday.]

“The challenge, which we’ll get over, is to get him from Washington to Adare and, even with the five hours working against us, get him playing here the following day. So where there’s a will there’s a way.”

In 2005, Harrington thrilled 30,000 fans when he romped to a six-shot victory in an event that raised an amazing €31 million for charity.

But McManus knows that he will need massive support from the public to top that figure in 2010, explaining:“Now more than ever we need more people here to spend their money and know that at the end of the day it’s finding a good home and going to people that need it more than they do themselves.

“It would be foolhardy of me to say, yes, we could top it. We are in difficult times. We have to accept that but it’s a challenge and maybe that makes it all the more interesting.”

Harrington has no doubt that the game’s top players will pull out all the stops to do their bit for charity in an event that they thoroughly enjoy,

Speaking at the launch at Adare Manor yesterday, he said: “This is the one event that players genuinely like to come along to because they know that whatever happens in the week, they are going to have an enjoyable couple of days.

“It’s a nice build-up going into the Open Championship because they can see how their game is without necessarily putting it under too much scrutiny. They know they’ll have good company during the week and they know they’ll enjoy it."

The post event auction has become a huge money spinner in recent years with billionaire Joe Lewis paying €1.78m for a round with Woods in 2000.

Tickets Baseball caps will be used as tickets and will go on sale from April 2009. See www.jpmcmanusproam.com for details.