Graeme McDowell
Kevin Murray

Padraig Harrington
Steven Newton

Branden Grace
Keith Allison

Paul McGinley
Kevin Murray

I am away again this week, strangely on a press trip to Ireland that will be taking in the Irish Open on Thursday. Here is my review of Royal Portrush from last year.

As always good luck The next day it was off to Royal Portrush, another Harry Colt track I was very much looking forward to playing. From the 1st tee to the 18th green this is a course that will not only test all your concentration levels but all the clubs in your bag.

But this track does give you great opportunities to put a good score together, especially at the 9th and 10th – two par 5s of 475 and 478 yards respectively, where you could walk away with two eagles but you could also walk away with two eights. The view out to sea and along the beach at the 5th green and 6th tee is breath-taking and if you are waiting on the green to clear on the par 3 6th you really can get lost in thought.

This could be to the detriment of your scorecard as the 189 yard par 3 has no bunkers, miss the green and you could, like the 210 yard par 3 14th be knocking up a score that a tail-end batsman would be proud of. The closing four holes start with “Purgatory” via “Big Nellie” to the 469 yard par 4 18th. The green is nearly 50 yards long so make sure you take plenty of club if the flag is at the back.

If you manage to get a game with ex captain Sam Moore or he is about when you play, make sure you get a nip from the 2 litre bottle he has hanging in his locker or at the halfway hut. It’s a mix of Bushmills, Drambuie and Crabbie’s ginger wine, and, like the man, its legendary.

My tips to win:

Graeme McDowell 10/1

Padraig Harrington 11/1

Branden Grace 35/1


My each-way tips:

Marcel Siem 35/1

Paul McGinley 50/1


Outside bet:

Damien McGrane 110/1



As always good luck