Irish Open preview: Strong home challenge at Mount Juliet

As a host course for the Irish Open, Mount Juliet near Thomastown in County Kilkenny has a cachet about it that few other venues can bring to one of the most enduringly popular sporting occasions of the year on the island.

The memories of almost three decades ago when the names of Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer and Sam Torrance were engraved on the trophy here in 1993, 1994 and 1995 are among the most evocative in the almost century-long history of the national championship.

With crowds limited to 5,000 per day last year, it was not quite the 'Mount Juliet' experience last year but the sold-out signs for Saturday and Sunday went up several days ago and thereby we can only hope the unique Irish Open atmosphere, last experienced to the full in Lahinch three years ago, can be rekindled at an old but familiar much-loved venue.

Enhancing that prospect is the presence of two strong Irish competitors, one of whom – Shane Lowry – forged the path of his professional career by so famously winning the 2009 edition as an amateur at the County Louth Club in Baltray.

In truth, he has had few real chances of winning since then and a best finish as a professional of tied fifth in 2013 at Carton House points towards the occasion of the Irish Open being one that places more pressure on him and other Irish players than regular tour events.

"I feel confident, I feel good about my game so it's just about managing expectation in a week like this, really. I feel like every week I play now is such a big week, and every week I really want to do well," he said on the eve of the championship.

"So it's just managing myself around the course and allowing myself to play good golf, and I'll be fine."

Lowry is ranked 24th in the world and is regarded as the