Golf Irish Amateur Open StrokeplayFor better or worse, the best young amateur golfers inevitably find their way to the professional game. And, as stepping stones go, the AIB Irish Amateur Open Strokeplay championship, which starts today over the Mark O'Meara course at Carton House, near Maynooth, has provided a more stable method of progress than other more slippery means.

Since the event was reinstated in 1995, its champions have featured Padraig Harrington, Keith Nolan (twice), Michael Hoey, Gary Cullen, Noel Fox (twice), Richard McEvoy, Louis Oosthuizen and Craig Smith, of Wales.

Only Smith, last year's winner when the championship was played over the Colin Montgomerie course at Carton, remains in the amateur ranks, while the rest earn a crust - with varying success - as professionals.

The O'Meara course, though, presents quite a different test to the Montgomerie layout, which next month plays host to the professionals in the Irish Open.

Indeed, that PGA European Tour event holds out a considerable incentive to Ireland's amateurs competing here, as the Golfing Union of Ireland have held off on finalising two of their three allocated amateur places in that field until after this 72-hole event.

Rory McIlroy, who has just turned 16, is already assured of one spot. Indeed, this Irish Amateur marks a busy stint for the hugely talented Holywood golfer as he plays in next week's British Masters at the Forest of Arden and then the following week's Irish Open.

Yet, despite his tender years, he has the mental strength to know that it is unwise to look too far into the future, so this current championship will hold his focus.

Of the home players competing, McIlroy, already the winner of the West of Ireland this season, Michael McGeady and Brian McElhinney would expect that a win here would strengthen their claims for a place on the Britain and Ireland team for the defence of the Walker Cup at Chicago Golf Club in August. No fewer than 11 of the Walker Cup panel are competing at Carton House in a tournament that will have the team selectors in attendance.

Although the Irish have the numerical advantage, the quality of the foreign invasion force - there are 61 players from 11 other countries in the field - suggests they will have their hands full to regain a title last won by an Irishman in 2003 when Fox won at Royal Dublin.