A round and about

Shane O'Donoghue,  RTÉ sports presenter and member of Hermitage

Earliest golfing memory? 1981, aged 10, caddying for my mother Helen, in the Cork Senior Scratch Cup at Little Island.

First victory? Aged 15, I won the best gross on Captain's Prize Day for Juniors in 1986.

First time to break 90? Tramore, summer of 1985. It was in a Waterford/South Tipperary Boy's competition. Shot 89 and was very upset that my 18 handicap wasn't cut!

Last bit of equipment? The new Titleist driver, PRO Titanium 905R

Last time you took a cart and why? I played in the Keith Duffy Pro-Am at PGA National in May, there were complimentary carts, so I gladly accepted.

Which of the Majors would you like to attend and why? I've commentated/reported at the British Open and US Masters, but have yet to attend either the US Open or USPGA. I'd love to go to the US Open one of these days, either to work or as a fan.

Ideal fourball: who and where? With my wife, Clare Louise (a very tidy 16 handicapper in Clontarf), I'd like to peg it up with Tiger and his wife Elin at Pebble Beach. If she's not much of a golfer, then I'd chance my arm and we'd take them on in foursomes!

One last round on earth: where would it be? Cypress Point, Monterey, California

Ralph Lauren or Lyle & Scott? The new Lyle and Scott gear is very trendy. They've been in golf for years too. Ralph Lauren is a bit of a golfing blow-in and to be honest, it's a really predictable American look. Davis Love for example. Boring.

Is the Titleist ProV1 worth the extra expense? Absolutely. Golf these days is about length off the tee and feel on the greens. This ball is way out in front.

One-hundred-and-forty yards out from green. Flat calm, what's in your hand? A nine iron and I'm going to go for it . . . hard!

Favourite club in times of trouble? Has to be the seven iron. It rarely lets me down.

Parkland or links? Grew up on parkland (Clonmel), am a member of a great parkland course in Dublin (Hermitage), yet I've lost most of my shots playing places like Royal Dublin and Baltray, which I adore. So, it has to be links.

Must see golfing destination? I'm a Ben Hogan nut, so it has to be the USA (Merion in Philadelphia, Seminole in Florida and Shady Oaks in Fort Worth, Texas. All key courses in his fascinating life.)

Hidden gem? Woodenbridge, near Avoca, Co Wicklow. On a sunny day, you could not bring friends or visitors to a more picturesque location. The course has something really special about it.

One Mulligan in life? Although I won the competition, I'd like another go at my second shot to the 17th at PGA National in last year's Irish Golf Writers Championship.

I was one over par and thinking of going birdie, par to finish. My mind wasn't on the job in hand.

I underhit it and ended up bogeying it and also the final hole.

It's not often you get a chance to shoot level par and I completely blew it.