Kevin LeBlanc looks to tame wild West of Ireland Amateur Open in Sligo

Defending champion Jack Hume is the bookies’ favourite and Rosses Point’s Gary McDermott the home hope but young Dubliner Kevin LeBlanc could surprise some in the Radisson Blu-sponsored West of Ireland Amateur Open at County Sligo.

The domestic curtain-raiser is always eagerly awaited but with Walker Cup candidates Gary Hurley and Gavin Moynihan missing this year, the list of potential winners is as long as the approach to Rosses Point’s dreaded 17th.

Victory for 33-year-old McDermott would be the first by a Co Sligo member since Cecil Ewing in 1950 while Hume is well aware that the last man to retain the title was Rory McIlroy in 2006.