Keeping an eye on Walker Cup places

Without the nuisance of strokeplay qualifying, competitors in the South of Ireland Amateur Open Championship, sponsored by Irish Shell, are thrown directly into man-to-man matchplay combat at Lahinch Golf Club today. However, for the perceived "elite" in the field, there is some respite - they don't enter the fray until tomorrow's second round, by which stage 64 players will have already departed.

Indeed, with 192 players, and that a confined entry, whoever emerges as champion will have earned the title. For a number of international players, this final provincial championship of the season represents what is effectively the last chance saloon. Next week, the Walker Cup selectors will finalise the British and Irish team to take on the United States at Nairn in September and this event will have a bearing on team selection.

As things stand, Paddy Gribben, winner of the North two weeks ago and who defends his European strokeplay championship in two weeks, is the only Irish player who can be confident of a place on the 10-man team. So, it is an important few days for the likes of Garth McGimpsey, Gary Cullen, Ken Kearney and Ciaran McMonagle, among others, who are attempting to swing the minds of selectors.

Gribben, though, must start as favourite. It is a mantle that is thrust on him regularly these days. Since his reinstatement as an amateur - after three testing years in the professional ranks - the Warrenpoint player has flourished.

"I put it all down to the broomhandle putter," he said. "There was a time when I was literally scared stiff standing over a three or four-footer, but not any more."

His performance on the four-man British and Irish team that won the world amateur team championship (Eisenhower Trophy) in Chile last year had further demonstrated Gribben's big-time flair. And, given his successful defence of the North, followed by performance in the British Open where he was somewhat unfortunate not to survive the cut, he is certainly the man in form.

"After Carnoustie, I suppose this is a case of getting back to reality - but it is a championship I enjoy, and I'm looking forward to it," he said. And, yet, Lahinch is notorious for throwing up surprise champions. Certainly, the quality of the field is quite exceptional this year and it has arguably the strongest entry of any championship this season, with a number of American-based students, who were unable to contest earlier events, all back in pursuit of silverware.

McMonagle, who is assured of the Willie Gill Award as the season's most consistent performer, has won the Irish Close this season; Cullen proved best in the Irish strokeplay; Kearney took the East and Gribben, of course, won the North. The defending champion is Ballyclare's Johnny Foster.