Only special amateurs should tee up this week, says Paul McGinley

Ballyliffin has been waiting for the green light to host the 2018 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open for nearly a year and Paul McGinley reckons it will be a “worthy” venue if it gets the nod this week.

The Dubliner, 48, has close ties with Donegal, which is his parents’ home county.

While some fear that its remote location on the Inish-owen peninsula will lead to smaller crowds than the sellouts the event has drawn at Portrush and this week at Portstewart, the 2014 Ryder Cup captain has no fears.