Ladies Irish Open golf at Dunsany venue

The strongest field of women professional golfers in the history of the Ladies Irish Open will take part in this August's event at Killeen Castle in Dunsany, the organisers have announced. The field consists of five current American Solheim Cup players, as well as the full European team including world ranked third, Suzann Pettersen, who won the event in 2008; Anna Nordqvist ranked sixth; Laura Davies, current European number one; Catriona Mathew, reigning Ricoh British Open Champion; Sophie Gustafson, past multiple winner of the Ladies Irish Open; Maria Hjorth and Helen Alfredsson, the 2007 Solheim Cup captain. The USA challenge is lead by Christina Kim, who made a huge impact at the last Solheim Cup in Chicago. Fellow team members Angela Stanford, ranked ninth in the world; Brittany Lang, Kristy McPherson and Brittany Lincicome; winner of the LPGA major, the Kraft Nabisco in 2009 will add to the rivalry at the event. Team Ireland will be represented by Hazel Kavanagh, Rebecca Coakley, currently 21st on the Solheim Cup rankings, US-based Alison Walsh from Galway; and Martina Gillen and Tara Delaney from Carlow. In addition, defending champion Dianna Luna will return to defend her title, just two months after giving birth to her first child Elena. Gwladys Nocera, Tania Elosegui and Becky Brewerton represent the growing influence of youthful talent on the LET tour. Ladies European Tour Executive Director, Alexandra Armas commented: "This is the third year that AIB and Failte Ireland have been title partners of the AIB Ladies Irish Open, supported by Failte Ireland, and we believe that this year's event will be an even bigger success than in previous years. The 2010 event has attracted a truly world class, international field and the quality of the competitors clearly demonstrates their excitement and eagerness to play at Killeen Castle, The 2011 Solheim Cup venue." The Ladies Irish Open takes place from 6th to 8th August next.