Alliss in wonderland

“TALK to Simon Alliss,” advised one tour pro a few weeks back, “he’s a really interesting character.”

Indeed he is. And somehow the man responsible for managing close on everything outside the ropes at this week’s 3 Irish Open successfully treads that fine line between enthusiasm and excess. Therefore when he declares that the Irish Open is his No 1 event to set up every year, you tend to give him the benefit of the doubt. Alliss’ passion for what he does is every bit as engaging as his legendary dad, commentator Peter, delivering the bon mots to BBC viewers at 79.

“I know it sounds corny,” the 35-year-old Englishman conceded, “but the Irish (Open) is my favourite. This is my fourth or fifth, I know every contractor, and this country has become one of the first places in the world where if I was strapped for a few quid and needed some help, or needed a bed, I could phone about 25 people and I’d get sorted.”