John O'Sullivan talks to Ireland's two most promising young professionals about the battle to adapt to life in the paid ranks, particularly when playing at home

The fanfare of expectation that greeted their arrival on the European Tour appears to be stifling. Embryonic professionals they may be, but for Michael Hoey and Graeme McDowell, trophy-laden amateur careers suggested an aptitude to adapt to the paid ranks.

At this juncture it is both unfair and unrealistic to expect anything other than a quiet period of acclimatisation as they absorb the differing demands of professional golf. That may be the public perception, but it appears that the two young Irishmen may have a little less patience, at least as far as Hoey is concerned.

His frustration was palpable as he sought an escape route from the recorder's hut, having signed for a three-over-par 75. The European Open at the K Club is the sixth tournament of his professional career.

Having tied for 32nd place in his first, the Benson & Hedges at the Belfry, he has missed the cut at the British Masters, the Memorial (at Murifield Village, Ohio) the English Open and last week's Irish Open.

The crushing disappointment of a three-putt on the 18th was still vivid and was exacerbated when he expanded on the last three holes of his round. "I birdied 16 and then missed a four-foot putt for birdie on the 17th. I then made bogey at the last. That's a three-shot swing.

"Things are just not going well. I'm letting it affect me. I making a mistake and then taking it with me to the next hole. I am getting off to bad starts and putting myself under pressure

"I'm striking the ball reasonably well, but I am missing putts. I need to work on things, mental things."

Hoey was used to being at the business end of affairs in his amateur days and his present situation doesn't sit easily. In essence, he appears to be trying too hard, applying too much pressure that is suffocating his undoubted ability.

It can't help either that this week and last the tournaments have been in Ireland, where the spotlight shines a little more brightly.

Hoey and McDowell share much common ground, Ulstermen, Ireland internationals and comrades in a famous Walker Cup triumph at Sea Island, Georgia, last year. While Hoey won the British Amateur championship, McDowell was cutting a swathe through American collegiate golf, winning six tournaments this year before turning professional.

Yesterday it was a score, 75, that intertwined their paths yet again, the similarities extending to the fact that they both amassed four bogeys and a single birdie.

Two bogeys in the opening three holes hinted at a long day for Hoey, but a birdie on the third and regulation figures over the next five holes took him to the turn in one over the card.

A bogey at the par three 12th, and another on the 15th, saw him slip back further, and while he birdied the 16th, the 18th left a bitter taste.

McDowell will be fractionally happier in that he endured the worst of the conditions, torrential rain and freshening winds (he played 10 holes of his round in dreadful weather) making the course play every inch of its 7,337 yards.

"I suppose we were on the bad side of the draw as things panned out. The greens spiked up a little because they were soft and had all that traffic.

"Still, I hit 14 greens in regulation but just putted terribly. I had half a dozen birdie chances from 15 feet in and only managed to take one. I am hitting the ball well but I need to hole more putts. It was a very cold day with the putter."

McDowell was the more philosophical, a quiet resolution evident in his demeanour. Having managed six pars from the 10th, his front nine, there appeared little trouble when he slightly misjudged his approach to the par five 15th, finishing five feet short of the green.

His approach putt was a touch bold and he missed the return from four feet. Another impetuous putt on the first hole required two more for his second bogey. A bogey at the sixth was offset by a birdie at the next, and playing the ninth, his final hole, a 74 was in the offing.

Unfortunately, having come up short, he was a little heavy- handed with the pitch-and-run, finishing nine feet past the pin on the right apron: the putter wasn't about to offer redemption.

Having missed the cut on his pro debut at Slaley Hall, the Rathmore golfer responded with a fine tied 27th at Fota Island last week.

He will need to display the same sort of character today. So too Hoey.