Killeen course will test amateurs

The outstanding Killeen course, venue for the Irish Open in 2010 and 2011, hosts the revived Killarney Scratch Cup today.

A number of the country’s top amateurs have entered, with bookmakers Paddy Power installing Ian O’Rourke of Cork installed as 7/1 favourite. He is followed by Richard Bridges (Stackstown) 8/1 and Shane McGlynn (Carton House) and Brendan Walton (Malahide, a nephew of Ryder Cup hero Philip), at 14/1. Stephen Walsh and John Greene, winners of the last two South of Ireland Championships, both playing out of Portmarnock nowadays, are at 16/1, along with Castlemartyr plus 2 handicapper Mark Shanahan.

Derek Byrne (a generous 80/1), a member of both Douglas and Killarney, is back to defend the title.