Welshman Stephen Dodd won the 2005 Irish Open after a play-off

The call from Ryder Cup captain Ian Woosnam for his big guns to start performing has encouraged a strong turnout from Europe's top players.

Padraig Harrington, Paul McGinley and Darren Clarke lead the Irish challenge for a prize fund totalling �1.5m.

Britain's Paul Casey, Lee Westwood and David Howell all need a good finish.

Woosnam reiterated that he is looking for his top players to be in-form, and not just pinning their hopes on former glories.

"I want to get the players who have played in the Ryder Cup before automatically in," he said. "I don't want to be left with having to pick some of the top players."

With this year's Ryder Cup just down the road from Carton House at the K Club, this is an ideal opportunity for some to remind Woosnam of their talents.

It is 26 years since John O'Leary last gave the Irish Open a home win, so Harrington, McGinley and Clarke will not lack support, or motivation.

"Of course I'm nervy, very," admitted McGinley "I've missed four cuts in a row.

"I have a lot of respect for the players behind me in the ranking tables and I'm looking over my shoulder to be quite honest.

"I've got to play better, there's no two ways about it. The job's not done. I've always said I had to play well this year to do it."

Of the British contingent, Casey in particular will be looking for a strong showing following his final-round collapse in last week's British Masters.

Howell finished runner-up last year after a sudden-death play-off with Stephen Dodd, who will also be back to defend his title.