Nobody can confidently predict who will win the Lancome-sponsored Irish Women's Close Championship which gets underway at Baltray today with the first of two rounds of strokeplay qualifying.

Last year's success by Claire Coughlan, when she became the youngest winner in over 50 years, merely served to emphasise that the element of surprise is one preserve of matchplay that ensures that literally anyone who survives the strokeplay phase can go on to become champion.

And, yet, the weight of most expectations will lie heavily on the shoulders of two players who have the Curtis Cup at Ganton next month very much on their minds. Suzanne O'Brien, who will make her debut in the match with the Americans, and Alison Coffey, who is first reserve, are the undisputed favourites heading into this latest quest for a national title.

Indeed, the duo head into the event on the back of some fine recent form. O'Brien won the Leinster women's title last month while Coffey confirmed her status as the top Ulster player by again retaining that championship. And, only last week, O'Brien and Coffey combined to give Ireland second place in the team competition at the Scottish strokeplay championship at Royal Troon where O'Brien finished seventh in the individual event with Coffey a place further back.

For her part, Coughlan demonstrated some form when reaching the final of the Munster championship two weeks ago (before losing to Sinead Keane) while Lillian Behan, winner of the Close two years ago at Clandeboye, and who took the Leitrim Cup as leading qualifier last year, has also hit a purple patch at just the right time: she won the Hermitage Scratch Cup on Sunday last, finishing three shots clear of O'Brien.

Certainly, the competitors face a searching examination of their golfing skills over the next few days. "It's in absolutely brilliant condition," enthused Irish international Oonagh Purfield, one of eight players from the host club who will seek to take the title on home terrain.

"However, the greens are very bouncy and putting will be tricky - it could prove to be the difference between winning and losing by the time we get to matchplay."

Of the home challengers, Jenny Gannon - last year's Leinster women's champion - and Deirdre Smith will be expected to put up strong shows. Indeed, Gannon has been paired with defending champion Coughlan for the two strokeplay rounds which is as good an example as any that spectators will get of the new generation of Irish women's golf.

Although there are only 62 entries, there is a touch of quality about the field with the likes of Emma Dickson, Hazel Kavanagh, Sinead Keane, Paula Delaney and the richly promising Martina Gillen among those capable of taking the title.

Yet, the belief persists that the two players the rest of the field all have to beat are O'Brien and Coffey . . . . and if Coffey should be the one to go on and take the title for the first time, then few would begrudge her that honour. As ever, though, it'll be a hard-won championship on a tough course measuring in at over 6,000 yards.