Irish look to avoid deep water in hunt for home improvement

SEVENTEEN Irish golfers face the starter as the 10th Smurfit European Open at The K-Club gets underway this morning.

On this occasion, however, the golfers have crossed the Liffey from the North to the new South Course and, quite naturally, there is considerable speculation as to how the pros will cope with a lay-out dominated by water hazards which account for a 10th of the 180 acres on the site.

The 16th and 18th, which boasts an island green, are two of the most feared and are sure to attract huge public interest.