Irish knocking at Open door

WITH the pressure on the European contingent this week, Ireland's top two - Padraig Harrington and Darren Clarke - are in the spotlight.

They are ranked respectively eighth and 15th in the world but have been unable to justify such exalted status over the past several months.

All will be forgiven and forgotten if either brings the claret jug back to Ireland for the first time since Fred Daly came out on top at Hoylake in 1947.