The Irish Open starts tomorrow and I had promised to write a piece about it in my latest update. So, here we go, this post will be dedicated to describing the Irish Open, it's home this year - the beautiful seaside village of Lahinch on the Wild West Atlantic coast of my homeland Ireland. I will also advise on three golfers I will be keeping a close eye on over the coming days for all you betting enthusiasts. Fear not, if that's not your thing, and read on anyway and who knows I might bedazzle you with a fact or two.

Made in 1927

Long before I was typing, talking or reading, the very first Irish Open took place at the world famous and idyllic testing Links course at Portmarnock. There were no Callaway Rogue drivers launching Titliest Pro V1 balls at breakneck speed down fairways a couple of parishes away in the those days of long ago.

The golf was much more about the player and less about the equipment in those days, I would surmise, but one thing has not changed between then and now - that is the battle each and every player must make with the weather conditions. The wind on a Links course like Portmarnock can test the very best of golfers and test it, it did in 1927 and indeed on 18 other times since, as Portmarnock boasts 19 hostings of the Irish Open, the last of them back in 2003 when unlikely winner Michael Campbell from New Zealand beat of competition from Denmark's favorite golfing son Thomas Bjørn and Sweden's Peter Hedblom.

2003 and onwards

It has been great since 2003, when they really started to mix things up and showcase some of Ireland's finest golf courses - and we are blessed with some of the world's finest on this small rocky outcrop on Western front of Europe.

We've seen fabulous courses like Fota Island Resort, County Louth Golf Club, Carton House Golf Club, Adare Golf Club, The K Club, Portstewart Golf Club and Ballyliffin Golf Club get the collective nod of approval in recent years and each of them has thrived since, with golfing visitors to these shores wanting to follow in the footsteps of their golfing heroes.

This year is no different and the tiny surf town of Lahinch in County Clare has it's week in the sun or maybe rain this weekend!

Lahinch Golf Club

What's not to love about Lahinch. I love surfing. I love golf. I love my social life. Lahinch comes up serious trumps for all three.

The golf course is very much a Links track, and if the wind is up tomorrow and through the weekend, then what time of the day you play could play a big part in shaking down the deck to leave 4 or 5 contenders come Sunday afternoon. Then it will come down to who wants it the most.

For those that don't make the cut for Saturday and Sunday, they can always rent a wetsuit and a surfboard from a local surf shop and go battle a few of these bad boys that frequent our west coast from time to time!

My Three picks for this years Irish Open

Ok, so anyone that knows me knows that I like a bit of value in a bet and this first one offers serious value if it comes in for me.

Bradley Dredge €5 E/W @ 300/1 (pays 8 places)

Bradley has not being playing great golf recently, but he showed enough decent form in the recent Andalusian Open before carding a final day +7 that really ruined his card and his chances, but I was actually quietly pleased, as it has kept him under the radar.

The Welshman seems to enjoy the Irish open, finishing 13th in 2017 in Port Stewart and the year before that he finished only behind Rory McIlroy and got a decent cheque for his second place finish.

He may miss the cut by seven shots, but he might also lead after day 1, and at 300/1, I see him as over priced. Will he win the Irish Open. I very much doubt it. Can he finish in the top 8, yes, I think he can.

Rafael Cabrera Bello @ 28/1

I have not backed anybody else yet, but I expect Rafa to have a real good go around Lahinch. I think the course will suit him and Cabrera Bello seems to really thrive on Irish courses. 2016 saw him finish tied for 8th, 2015 tied 4th and 2014 tied 26th, so the Spaniard does have form on Irish soil.

Can Rafa win the tournament - he most certainly can, but even a top 8 finish will return a decent few quid, if you opt for the E/W option, but at odds of 28/1, maybe a win bet makes more financial sense, just don't blame me if he loses out in a playoff and comes second!

Matthew Southgate E/W @100/1

Another each/way prospect who likes Irish courses. He came close here in 2017, with a tie for 2nd place, but indifferent form this year and a high number of missed cuts mean that Matthew is classed in the rank outsider category and I just don't see it like that, which is why I like a golf bet. You can get some serious value on players if you catch them just before a peak.

I will likely have a small bet on both Rafa and Matthew in the morning.

That's my lot for now.

Thanks as always for reading.

Peace Out.