Tom McKibbin's 'biggest achievement' Irish Open dream

McKibbin – who will open his tournament bid on Thursday at 1pm alongside star attraction Rory McIlroy and defending champion Vincent Norrman – views the opportunity as “pretty special”.

"It would mean a lot (to win the Irish Open)...I think it would mean a lot no matter where it was, but here at Royal County Down would be even more special just because of the prestigiousness of the course and how special it is,” he said. "It would probably be the biggest achievement of my career and it would probably stay there forever.

"It would be pretty special. It would be pretty cool.”

However, alongside the dream for McKibbin stands the reality of the challenge facing every player teeing up in Newcastle.

“But I think the golf course is so hard, I would be probably more nervous playing the golf course thinking about all these outcomes,” he said. “So I think it's just trying to keep the ball in front of you and see where that is at the end of the week."

He added: “I’m really excited for the week, especially here at Royal County Down...a golf course that's very prestigious and very special.

"I think it's going to be a pretty cool week.

“It's a pretty special place, I think it's a golf course that you learn to respect a bit more and appreciate the more you play.

"I think the first couple of times I had ever played it, I found it too difficult...I didn't really enjoy it that much.

"But as I got better and played it more, I've came to appreciate it a lot more.

"It's a very hard test of golf...a lot of blind tee shots with majority of crosswinds, I think it will be a very difficult test out there.

“You've got to get the lines off the tee right and then don't really try and shoot a score.

"You've just got to be real patient and keep the ball in front of you.

"I think par is going to be pretty good this week and I think trying not to force it too much is probably the key out there.

"It's a tricky one...obviously weather-dependent.”