BE careful what you pray for, we were warned as children, because you just might get it. In his capacity as the European Tour's resident paterfamilias this week, Andy McFee reminded his brood of this simple caution while the final touches were being applied to Druids Glen in preparation for the Pounds 750,000 Murphy's Irish Open, which starts this morning.

In meetings with the players, they keep telling us that they want to be competing on difficult courses," said the tournament director. "Well, they've got one here."

There were no dissenters from this view, not even Raymond Burns who, off the extreme back tees, shot a superb, four underpar 67 in yesterday's pre tournament pro am.

The extent to which challengers are prepared to accept the psychological implications of a searching test will be critical towards their ultimate success. Significantly, championship favourite Colin Montgomerie took an admirably positive attitude. "This is a great course, a quality course - very demanding," he said. "It is good that we come to tournament venues such as this." Then, as a special nod of approval to the organisers, he added: "Very well done."

Ireland's Darren Clarke, back in action after a week's break, expanded on the Scot's analysis. "Though the fairways are excessively narrow on a few of the par fours, I like the overall concept," said the Ulsterman, who was only a seven iron shot from the green with a huge drive at the forbidding, 471 yard 13th. "One thing is certain: there is no chance of it being reduced to a putting competition."

On that latter point, good putting is certain to be rewarded on greens of superb quality. Overnight rain on Wednesday slowed them to the extent that they were playing to somewhere around nine and a half on the Stimpmeter during the pro am. But McFee promised: "We're looking for speeds of around 10 and a half when the tournament gets under way. And they could be even faster by the weekend."

Shortly after the defending champion, Sam Torrance, had failed to reach the green at the 452 yard 18th with a drive and three wood his approach pitched on top of the rocks and into a bunker - the tournament director also outlined his philosophy regarding the length of individual holes.

"It's a question of balance " he said. "Depending on the wind, I may decide to move certain tees forward. For instance. I think the 18th should be reachable with a three or four iron second shot."

Opinions vary as to the desirability of heavy fringes around the greens and the generally punishing nature of the rough. Setting up courses in such a manner will become increasingly common place, however, until the game's legislators take serious action regarding equipment, notably" with regard to the initial velocity of the golf ball.

The course is undoubtedly difficult, but as Nick Faldo said of the challenge presented by Killarney's eccentric 17th hole: "It's there and it's playable." And it's also going to be there for Irish Open competitors next year, so there seemed little point in the comment by Torrance, and others, that they would prefer Portmarnock.

A record Irish entry of 28, including four amateurs, looks to be especially strong, given that it includes Padraig Harrington (6th), Paul McGinley (14th), Clarke (33rd) and David Feherty (48th) in the current top 50 of the Order of Merit. But Harrington is having a most unhappy week so far.

While recovering from the recurrence of an old ankle injury, the Spanish Open champion woke yesterday morning with severe back ache. "It seems like a pulled muscle," he said disconsolately. "Just when the ankle seemed to be coming right, I am now receiving physio treatment for my back." He added: "It's become a matter of fingers crossed at this stage."

The field includes three other former champions - Bernhard Langer (1984, 1987, 1994), Seve Ballesteros (1983, 1985, 1986) and Ian Woosnam (1988, 1989). Mark James, the champion of 1979 and 1980, is an absentee. And the continued quality in depth, which has been the hallmark of this event, is exemplified by the presence of the 1994 US Open champion and current world number five, Ernie Els.

The 26 year old South African is here with Leizl Wehmeyer, his girlfriend of three and a half years. And she dismissed any suggestions that his appetite for victory may have been temporarily sated by a stunning performance in the Buick Classic at Westchester last month, when he led from start to finish while achieving an eight stroke victory margin.

"Ernie has never said to me after a victory, 'That was enough'," she said. "He's always said, 'I have a lot more to go for'. This is his dream. He is prepared to accept the pressure in the knowledge of what goes along with it. He knows."

Given its similarities with a US Open course, Druids Glen should suit Els admirably. But he spoke of the 13th as "a minefield", adding that it is impossible to make a par three after missing the green, while the rough, generally, is tougher than at the recent US Open. Of more immediate concern, however, is a tendency to block the ball, prompting him to seek help from guru Bob Torrance.

"Bob gave me a couple of things to think about," he said. "My arms and body are not working together and I will see if I can get things straightened out. It's not far off just a little thing. In fact it may be a good sign, since I don't want to peak too soon before the British Open." Still, his pro am form was promising, considering that a seemingly moderate 75 included a triple bogey seven at the 18th.

Els has had a two week break since Oakland Hills, though he found time to play a pro am in Pittsburgh, the scene of his US Open triumph, and a skins match with Nick Faldo, Nick Price and Fred Couples in Montreal last weekend. He has played 15 tournaments this year, three of them in the European Tour events in South Africa in which he had three top 10 finishes.

On the USPGA Tour, his only missed cut was at Doral. Otherwise he was in the top 25 on six occasions, including a share of fifth place behind Steve Jones at Oakland Hills. His combined earnings on both sides of the Atlantic this year are

Montgomerie, the world's number three, agreed with Els regarding the severity of the rough. But it came as more of an observation than a criticism from a player renowned as one of the game's straightest hitters. Then he added: "My game is fine, though I'm not putting as I would want to. But who does?"

Robert Allenby is in a rather curious position this week. Hailed by illustrious compatriot Peter Thomson as a player of huge potential, the tall, slim Australian would be very short odds indeed for this title, but for his recent exploits. Despite outstanding talent, it hardly seems reasonable to expect Allenby to win here, having already been triumphant in the English and French Opens over the last four weeks.

For different reasons, Ireland's challengers face an equally daunting test in front of home fans. Meanwhile, rivals have cause to be concerned about Montgomerie's liking for this spectacular venue. The big Scot is the man to beat.

. A meeting of the Leinster Branch of the Golfing Union of Ireland will be held next Monday night to decide if Cill Dara Golf Club has met its handicapping criteria and can be restored to the fold.

Albert Lee, the honorary secretary of the Leinster branch, visited the club last Monday and acknowledged it had undertaken much of the revision required, deducting shots from some players.