Haotong Li can show his liking for links and see off Thomas Pieters

Sky Sports Golf, 10.30am Thursday
Tournament starts 7am

Haotong Li was a surprise contender at last year's Open but it would not be a huge shock if the Chinese star makes a big impression at this week's Irish Open.

Li was third at Royal Birkdale 12 months ago which demonstrated his liking for a links format, even though his previous best Irish Open was 18th at a contrasting test at the K Club.

He pushed his way into the world's top 50 when he held off Rory McIlroy's challenge to win the Dubai Desert Classic and he heads into the tournament in decent form - he was 19th at the Italian Open, 16th at the US Open and 21st in France last week.

Li is taken to beat Thomas Pieters in a tournament match bet.

The Belgian is desperate to force his way into Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjorn's plans after playing a starring role at Hazeltine two years ago, but he is struggling with just three top-20 finishes in his last 13 tournaments.

He has done little in his two showings at the Open and it may not be the week he pushes on as he has missed his last three Irish Open cuts.

McIlroy has plenty on his plate this week as he is hosting the tournament.

He will be more familiar than most with the demands of Ballyliffin having played there in his youth, but more of a concern is that he has missed the cut in four of his last five Irish Opens - he won in 2016.

McIlroy will be charged to a challenge for a second Claret Jug at Carnoustie in two weeks, but he has plenty of work to do, demonstrated by the fact he was seen practicing with two different putters earlier in the week.

He failed to build on good starts at the Travelers Championship and the PGA at Wentworth and also missed the cut at the US Open for the third successive year.

At the prices, it is worth taking on McIlroy with Jon Rahm, who defends the title he won by a six-shot margin at Portstewart last year.

He also missed the cut at Shinnecock Hills but he has finished in the top 15 in six of his last seven European tournaments, including three wins and his confidence should have been boosted by his fifth spot in France last week.

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