IT is almost time for Co Down to tee off as it prepares to host some of the world's leading golfers at the Irish Open.
All eyes are on Newcastle this week as the European Tour event takes place at Royal County Down, drawing in thousands of spectators and millions more watching on television.
Holywood's Rory McIlroy has invited the world of golf to visit his home country.
The world number one heads the star-studded field for the Irish Open with his name alone leading to big names such as Rickie Fowler, Sergio Garcia, Martin Kaymer and Ernie Els signing up for the tournament.
He has not only endorsed the competition through his charitable foundation, which raises money for charities around the world including the NI Cancer Fund, but his efforts have also attracted the headline sponsor, Dubai Duty Free.
Three years ago when the competition was played at Royal Portrush, record-breaking crowds flocked to the north coast to watch the competition.
Now it is Newcastle's turn to showcase its worth to the world with Royal County Down set to be the star of the show. It is staging Ireland's national golf championship for the first time in 76 years.
There will be sell-out crowds of 20,000 every day at the famous course, which has already seen the arrival of many of the competing golfers.
They have been spotted on the course practising ahead of the start of the competition tomorrow.
McIlroy has been among the golfers walking the fairways of the course yesterday, with his parking space at the course occupied by a £100k luxurious BMW i8.
McIlroy will be joined for the first two days of the competition with the recent Players champion Rickie Fowler and current US Open champion Martin Kaymer.
Clarke has also been honing his skills on the green and said yesterday that a "feast of golf" should be expected over the coming days. He thanked McIlroy for attracting the field of golfers, which he said was the best he could remember coming to the Irish Open.
Portrush golfer Graeme McDowell spent time away from the action yesterday golfing at Portmarnock Golf Club near Dublin.
Young American golfer Rickie Fowler was one of the first to arrive at the Irish Open on Sunday. He said he was "impressed" with the course at Royal County Down, but added it would be a "tough test".
Ryder Cup star Sergio Garcia last night was also preparing for the competition with the golfer posting a picture of the shoes he will wear, with one pair featuring the colours of the Irish tricolour.
He said: "Got my @IrishOpenGolf shoes! Blue/red Thursday, white/blue/pink Friday, black/blue Saturday and Irish colors (sic) Sunday".
Today's action on the golf course will see the golfers and celebrities take part in the pro-am competition.
Recently-retired jockey AP McCoy leads the pack of famous faces in Newcastle with former Northern Ireland footballer Pat Jennings and former Ulster rugby star Stephen Ferris among the well-known names.
The 'king of spin' former Australian cricketer, Shane Warne is also set to take part, as well as actor James Nesbitt, Dundrum comedian Paddy Kielty and Irish broadcaster George Hook.
Former footballer Jamie Redknapp and former world snooker champion Dennis Taylor will also be on the course.
Then it will be down to business for the world's best golfer who hope to crowned Irish Open champion on Sunday.
