Going back to his first victory in the event in 1979, Des Smyth cannot remember the Smurfit Irish Professional Championship being so dominated by one player. "In my view he is nearly unbeatable," was his assessment yesterday of championship favourite Paul McGinley, on the eve of battle at Castlerock.

Like the majority of the field of 101, Smyth will be having his first experience of the delightful Co Derry links, down the road from celebrated neighbours Portstewart and Royal Portrush.

Indeed, the 48-year-old is planning to steal away this weekend for a first look at the Dunluce stretch at Portrush.

Compliments flowed yesterday about Castlerock, which has been beautifully presented. The greens are of the highest quality and the vulnerable nature of the five par fives suggests that, given reasonable weather, scoring is certain to be hot.

Meanwhile, the five-time winner of this title has long been an admirer of McGinley's talent. "We dined together during the German Masters last weekend, and even after shooting 17 under par he felt he hadn't driven the ball particularly well," said Smyth. "That's a measure of the standards Paul has set himself.

"They say Istabraq has a fast cruising speed. That's how I would assess Paul's game at the moment. Operating at 60 per cent, I believe he can beat the field."

McGinley, who is also playing Castlerock for the first time, goes into action off the first tee at 12.50 this afternoon in quest of another top cheque of £16,600, in the company John Dwyer of Ashbourne and Wexford's Damien McGrane.

"It's gratifying to hear those things from Des, but I'm taking nothing for granted," said the champion yesterday.

"I'm in more or less the same position as last year and I didn't find it easy then."

Still, his prospects must be enhanced by the absence of Darren Clarke and Padraig Harrington, who are at Wentworth, and Eamonn Darcy, David Higgins and Gary Murphy, who are competing in the Cannes Open.

Smyth, John Kelly (The Ward DR) and Michael Allan (Leopardstown GC) are off the first at 12.10; Martin Sludds, Leslie Robinson and Leslie Walker are in the next group off the first at 12.20, followed by Philip Walton, Neil Manchip and David Walker at 12.30.

"I couldn't think of missing this week," said 1999 champion Manchip, who was limping noticeably yesterday, having been out of action for five weeks because of a dislocated toe in his left foot.

There will also be considerable interest in the performance of former tour player Raymond Burns, who showed a welcome return to form recently when he progressed through the first stage of the European Tour School.

And four-time former champion Philip Walton could also use a change of fortune.

From the time that sensible, re-scheduling of the event allowed for the inclusion of most of the country's European Tour representatives, club professionals have been largely frozen out of the top places.

But the successes of Sludds (1984 and 1993) and Manchip have been notable exceptions.

Indeed, Francis Howley, Hamill, Manchip and McGrane were among the top-nine finishers at Baltray 12 months ago when McGinley won the title for a second time with a stunning, 22-under-par aggregate of 270. And the same players are capable of a similar impact on this occasion.

But on current form, McGinley is some way clear of his rivals. Not that this will lead Smyth to settle for second place, especially in view of a splendid victory in the Madeira Island Open last March.

"Let's just say Paul is the man to beat," he concluded with a mischievous grin.