Golf: Irish Open begins today

The Murphy’s Irish Open gets under way today at the Fota Island golf course in Cork with a world-class field set to contest the tournament on the par 71 course.

The Irish challenge will be lead by Darren Clarke, Padraig Harrington and Paul McGinley, although Harrington is suffering from a sore wrist, which he believes may damage his chances of becoming the first Irishman to win the title since John O’Leary in 1982.

Other leading players that will be taking part in the competition include Colin Montgomerie, Seve Ballesteros, Jose Marie Olazabal and last year’s winner, Patrick Sjoland.

The winner this year will take home a cheque for just over IR£166,000 but more importantly will see his Ryder Cup rankings boosted in the run up to the selection of the team.