"There are so many good events it's difficult to get the players," said the Open champion, one of only four members of the world's top 50 to be found at Adare Manor near Limerick.

"The Irish Open does not pay appearance money, so automatically it has a difficult position. But it's not as easy as throwing money at it, although that helps, or throwing a great course at it.

"People raved about this venue last year, but they didn't like the weather or the severity of the course.

"Four sunny days this week and players will go off with more positive vibes but it takes a while to develop a tournament and you need to build relationships with the players so they feel they want to go there."

Harrington has been very much in demand, of course, since his Carnoustie triumph last July.

He is desperate, though, to play fewer events rather than more. He skipped a World Championship in March and he will not be at the European Tour's flagship BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth next week.

The Dubliner has twice missed the tournament before because he did not think the course suited him, but this time it is his build-up to next month's US Open that has prompted the decision.

Harrington has entered the following week's Wales Open at Celtic Manor instead. "Wales's gain is Wentworth's loss," he stated.

"It's unfortunate, but that's the way it's going to be. My focus is absolutely 100% on the majors.

"It's the same issue around the world. In the States promoters are screaming out for more name players to turn up.

"I can't play 40 events. I played 32 last year and I should be playing 27-28." Even that would be several more than Tiger Woods.

Last year at Adare Harrington beat Welshman Bradley Dredge in a play-off to become the first home winner since John O'Leary in 1982.

They finished four clear of the field, but Dredge, who two weeks later was a runner-up again at the Wales Open, would have been satisfied only if he had lifted the title.

"Second is second and the aim is to try to win," he said. "If I had won I would be saying it was a great performance, but losing in a play-off it's only a good performance."

From Mark Garrod, PA Sport Golf Correspondent