Golf: Stakes high at South of Ireland Championship with Walker Cup places up for grabs

Fota Island's David Howard has had a busy week after featuring in the The Open 

David Howard in action at the South of Ireland Men's Amateur Open at Lahinch Golf Club. Picture: INPHO/Nick Elliott

The ante will rise considerably when the all-important matchplay phase of this week’s Pierse Motor Group South of Ireland Championship gets underway on Friday with Walker Cup team selection up for grabs in front of Great Britain & Ireland captain Dean Robertson.

The returning skipper has put a high premium on golfers who impress him this weekend ahead of next month’s 10-player team announcement and six weeks out from Lahinch staging the 51st matches against the United States on September 5 and 6.