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Feast of golf and celebrity on Portstewart fairways for Irish Open

Actors James Nesbitt and Jamie Dornan at the Irish Open Pro Am in Portstewart. Picture by Hugh Russell
Actors James Nesbitt and Jamie Dornan at the Irish Open Pro Am in Portstewart. Picture by Hugh Russell Actors James Nesbitt and Jamie Dornan at the Irish Open Pro Am in Portstewart. Picture by Hugh Russell

A FEAST of golf and celebrity was served up at the Irish Open yesterday as sporting stars shared the fairways with leading figures from the entertainment world.

A day before the real action begins, a Pro Am event drew thousands of visitors to Portstewart Golf Club.

See the latest scores from day one of the Irish OpenOpens in new window ]

David O'Reilly from Co Down was among those delighted to be able to catch a glimpse of his golfing heroes.

"To get up and close to some of best golfers in the world is a bit surreal and for them to take time and pose for a picture with my son is fantastic," he said.

Padraig Harrington during the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Portstewart Golf Club on Thursday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 
Padraig Harrington during the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Portstewart Golf Club on Thursday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin  Padraig Harrington during the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Portstewart Golf Club on Thursday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 

But for a group of women from nearby Portrush, golf was not so much the attraction, with one saying they were there "to see the real star, Jamie Dornan".

Pictured at the Irish Open Pro-Am, golfer Justin Rose and actor Jamie Dornan. Picture by Hugh Russell
Pictured at the Irish Open Pro-Am, golfer Justin Rose and actor Jamie Dornan. Picture by Hugh Russell Pictured at the Irish Open Pro-Am, golfer Justin Rose and actor Jamie Dornan. Picture by Hugh Russell

Among the most eagerly followed groups on the course was tournament host Rory McIlroy, who teamed up with Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola and former champion jockey AP McCoy.

Guardiola was in relaxed form as he joked around with McIlroy, the morning after appearing on stage at a charity night in Belfast for the Holywood golfer.

Justin Rose during the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Portstewart Golf Club on Thursday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 
Justin Rose during the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Portstewart Golf Club on Thursday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin  Justin Rose during the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Portstewart Golf Club on Thursday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 

He also impressed the crowds with some of his golfing skills, including one chip from the edge of the green into the hole which saw him skip for joy.

But it was Dornan who was the firm crowd favourite, taking to the fairways alongside fellow actor James Nesbitt and golfer Justin Rose.

While the two non-professionals joked as they prepared to tee off, the star of The Fall admitted he was feeling the pressure.

Crowds relaxing on the course during the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Portstewart Golf Club on Thursday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 
Crowds relaxing on the course during the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Portstewart Golf Club on Thursday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin  Crowds relaxing on the course during the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Portstewart Golf Club on Thursday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 

"I feel a bit sick to be honest - I don't like playing golf in front of people," Dornan said.

"I'm a bit bewildered by it all, I just got off a flight so I feel a bit out of it. But it is going to be good fun and look at the day we got, it's going to be class up here."

It appeared his nerves were well placed, as his first drive veered close to Portstewart beach, closely followed by a similarly disastrous shot by Nesbitt.

Other well-known faces yesterday included Northern Ireland football manager Michael O'Neill, Westlife star Shane Filan, Hollywood actor Aidan Quinn and ex-snooker player Dennis Taylor.

Crowds relaxing on the course during the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Portstewart Golf Club on Thursday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 
Crowds relaxing on the course during the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Portstewart Golf Club on Thursday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin  Crowds relaxing on the course during the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Portstewart Golf Club on Thursday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 

TV presenter Vernon Kay was also among the celebrity golfers.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola and Rory McIlroy. Picture by Hugh Russell
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola and Rory McIlroy. Picture by Hugh Russell Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola and Rory McIlroy. Picture by Hugh Russell

"It's the first time I have played in Ireland and it's a real privilege, an honour to get invited by Rory and his foundation - I think they do a lot of great work," he said.

"To play on a course like out here for a first time in Ireland is nerve-wrecking but also so exciting - I'm absolutely buzzing."

The Portstewart Strand closed to traffic during the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Portstewart Golf Club on Thursday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 
The Portstewart Strand closed to traffic during the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Portstewart Golf Club on Thursday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin  The Portstewart Strand closed to traffic during the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Portstewart Golf Club on Thursday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 

The tournament action proper began today with McIlroy seeking to become the first player in 20 years to win back-to-back Irish Open titles.

James Nesbitt poses for pictures with fans on the 9th hole at the Irish Opn Pro Am. Picture by Hugh Russell
James Nesbitt poses for pictures with fans on the 9th hole at the Irish Opn Pro Am. Picture by Hugh Russell James Nesbitt poses for pictures with fans on the 9th hole at the Irish Opn Pro Am. Picture by Hugh Russell