Hole-by-hole guide to the Irish Open

For the third time in five years, the Irish Open will be contested on a links golf course. After the successes of Royal Portrush and Royal County Down, it is Portstewart’s turn and Northern Ireland can bask in the collective glory.

The challenges facing the Irish Open competitors in 2017 will not be about length. This is no 7,741 yard Erin Hills, nor does it need to be.

Links golf is in an entirely different category when it comes to testing the world’s best.