IT'S our national Open championship but since its re-emergence on the European Tour it has produced just four home winners in the 35 years to date.

Christy O'Connor Junior won it in 1975 at Woodbrook and seven years later Dubliner John O'Leary followed suit at Portmarnock but then we had a gap of 27 years before Padraig Harrington took the title at Adare Manor in 2007 and, of course, amateur Shane Lowry surprised everyone at Baltray last year.

There were several near misses in the intervening years by the likes of Walton, McHenry, Darcy, Clarke and Smyth to name but a few, in what has been a very frustrating event for Irish golf fans.

No doubt the Irish players are under severe pressure to perform in front of their home fans and this more than any other factor has lead to our poor record in this event. So what are the chances of an Irish winner at Killarney this week?

Rory McIlroy told a packed audience at the Des Smyth Links Pro-Am dinner on Monday night: "Outside of the majors it's the biggest event on tour for me. I'm really looking forward to getting out on to the golf course tomorrow and I would love to emulate Padraig and get my name on the trophy".

Paul McGinley was equally upbeat saying "Wouldn't it be great for a Dub to win the Irish Open in Kerry?"

So let's have a look at some of the Irish players in the field:

GRAEME MCDOWELL

Still in celebratory mode after lifting the US Open at Pebble Beach in June and faded last week at St Andrews having got into contention.

He may however, need directions after recently stating that he was looking forward to coming to Kerry for the first time even though he played Ballybunion last year. Don't rule him out.

RORY MCILROY

A huge draw particularly for the younger golfing fans who sport the peaked cap and McIlroy hairstyle. Has the game to win a major and will have learned a huge lesson at St Andrews. Would be a very popular winner at Killarney and is certainly in with a big chance.

PADRAIG HARRINGTON

The three-time Major winner is struggling badly at the moment and under pressure to make the Ryder Cup team. He has won it before and could do it again, but I don't think he's ready this week.

DARREN CLARKE

The big man from Dungannon is a great supporter of this event over the years and has come close on a few occasions. I'm a huge fan and I know that he would dearly love to win it. He is starting to show signs of a real return to form and could be the best bet of all the Irish this week.

PAUL MCGINLEY

One of the nicest guys on tour who always has time for a chat. Concentrating on his role as Ryder Cup captain right now and his form of late has not been the best. A talented player no doubt but I don't really see him on the podium this week.

DAMIAN MCGRANE

The Wexford man is showing some decent form in the past six weeks or so with two top ten finishes in Sweden and in Portugal. Has won just once on tour and is a steady performer. An outside chance.

DAVID HIGGINS

A chance to show the home fans what he is capable of this week and he knows the course better than anyone else in the field. David is playing great stuff at the moment and is consistently shooting in the sixties on the Irish Domestic Circuit. He has the game to do anything he wants but is likely to be happy with a sizeable cheque come Sunday evening.

DANIEL SUGRUE

Local man from the Killarney club who has struggled since joining the paid ranks. Would love to produce a big performance in front of his home crowd but I don't see his name in lights this week and making the cut would be a bonus.

GARY MURPHY

Another player who is struggling with his game having made the cut just three times from nineteen events this season. Would be happy to be around for the weekend I would think.

- Ger Walsh