Home advantage for Pádraig as Fota gets serious

From the sunshine, smiles and autographs of the pro-am — it was strictly game faces at Fota yesterday. And that was just the spectators.

The car parks scattered at all corners of the Fota Estate were filling up from early morning as thousands of golf fans scouted out the best viewing areas and the best three-balls.

Needless to say, it was easy to spot who was attracting the largest crowds. Messrs Harrington and McIlroy were off early and drew thousands of fans on every hole.