Owens faces tough opener in title defence

Charlie Mulqueen

Owens will meet the winner of today’s first round clash of former three time Irish Close champion Eddie Power and Tipperary’s Alan Meskell. While Power’s appearances on the championship scene are infrequent these days, he remains a formidable competitor.

Owens is one of nine members of the Irish team that won the Home International Championship at Ballybunion last September. Among them is Brian McElhinney, the European champion who performed with distinction in last week’s Open Championship at Royal Troon.