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Remind me next time

World No.1 Rory McIlroy is the star turn as the European tour heads to Northern Ireland for the Irish Open. Golf tipster David August has four selections to share at prices from 20/1 and 100/1. (*NOTE: David found the 35/1 Crowne Plaza Invitational winner last week with Chris Kirk plus got a 33/1 place in the BMW PGA Championship with Francesco Molinari).

David August's Irish Open Tips

Shane Lowry 1pt ew @ 20-1

Francesco Molinari 1pt ew @ 33-1

Thongchai Jaidee 1pt ew @ 66-1

Thomas Aiken 1pt ew @ 100-1

WHERE: Royal County Down GC, Newcastle, Co Down, Northern Ireland.

NOTES ABOUT THE TOURNAMENT: Just for once the European tour event has a higher class field than its US counterpart with world No.1 Rory McIlroy leading the way. His charity, the Rory Foundation, is playing host this week. Although first played in 1927 it has only been part of the official schedule since 1974.

COURSE CHARACTERISTICS: Located beneath the Mountains of Mourne and along the coast of Dundrum Bay, the 7,186yd par-71 layout is a classic links course. Wind will be a feature making accuracy from the tee a key factor as players try to hit the narrow gorse-lined fairways. The small, but fast, dome-shaped greens won't take any prisoners if approach shots are not carefully planned.

THE MAIN MEN

RORY McILROY (10-3): Will be extra keen to win the Irish Open this year as his foundation is hosting the event. Will surely improve on just two top-10s in the tournament and rates the one to beat.

RICKIE FOWLER (12-1): Member of the US Walker Cup team that beat Great Britain (including McIlroy) at Royal County Down in 2007. Returns as PLAYERS champion and leading contender.

SERGIO GARCIA (14-1): Captured his first European title in the 1999 edition of the Irish Open. Excellent tied second earlier this month in the PLAYERS Championship.

SHANE LOWRY (20-1): Was still an amateur when winning the 2009 Irish Open and has since finished fifth (2013). Back to his best with a tied sixth at Wentworth last week and looks poised for another big effort.

MARTIN KAYMER (28-1): Just two starts in this event with a 10th in 2008 being the most recent. Had good driving distance and GIR stats when sharing 18th at Wentworth on Sunday.

FRANCESCO MOLINARI (33-1): Has done this column proud in the last two tournaments with a second and a fifth, so I'm not going to desert him now as 33-1 still looks decent value.

BYEONG HUN AN (40-1): Cruised to a six-shot win in the BMW PGA Championship last week and looks to have a big future on that showing.

LEE WESTWOOD (45-1): Can boast five top-10s in this event with most recent being in 2008 (hasn't played since 2009). Good win in Indonesian Masters and ninth in Cadillac Match Play.

MIGUEL ANGEL JIMENEZ (50-1): Landed his 10th European tour hole-in-one at Wentworth last week on his way to tying for second, which followed a runner-up finish in the Open de Espana.

GRAEME McDOWELL (50-1): Registered a first top-10 when tying for sixth 12 months ago. Not been in great form this year but too good a player to dismiss out of hand.

MARC WARREN (50-1): Picked up fourth place prize money six years ago and has two other top-20s. Ranked in the top-10 for putting when showing improved form of late to share 18th spot.

DANNY WILLETT (50-1): Followed up a 10th in 2013 with a third last year. Displayed his golfing prowess to a wider audience when third in the recent Cadillac World Match Play tournament.

LUKE DONALD (55-1): Not been in the great form in 2015 although a seventh in the Honda Classic and a 15th in the Heritage were encouraging signs.

THONGCHAI JAIDEE (66-1): Both appearances in the Irish Open have resulted in top-20s and I reckon he can go higher this time after a return-to-form second last week.

BERND WIESBERGER (80-1): Promising fourth on his only start in this contest in 2011 at Killarney. Form has dipped a bit of late but can't be completely dismissed.

THOMAS AIKEN (100-1): The South African appeals the most of those at triple-figure odds as he's picked up two top-10s and a couple of top-25s in the last couple of months.

ROSS FISHER (100-1): Clearly enjoys this contest as his last five starts include a win, two other top-10s and a pair of top-25s. Has to be considered on that evidence.

STEPHEN GALLACHER (110-1): Only finish of note so far is a third in 2011. If returning to the form that led to a third in Dubai earlier this year he would be in with a shout.

KIRADECH APHIBARNRAT (150-1): Clear chance of making an impact on his debut if in the same form as when winning last month's Shenzhen International.

PADRAIG HARRINGTON (150-1): Registered a win (2007) and seven other top-10s in this since 1996. Merits plenty respect on that evidence and a win in the Honda Classic earlier this year.

PABLO LARRAZABAL (150-1): Outstanding fourth in the 2013 edition of the Irish Open and played some nice golf to secure third in the recent Trophee Hassan.