By Brian Keogh

Ulsterman Peter O'Hagan defends the Irish Club Professionals' Championship in Dundalk today.

The former K Club pro knows it will be tough to see off big-hitting home pro Leslie Walker over 36 holes.

But tough tasks are nothing new to O'Hagan since he turned 50.

The Florida based Ulsterman has decided to invest €100,000 into trying to break onto the lucrative Champions Tour this season.

He said: "I have to pre-qualify just to get into the Monday qualifiers and that's tough.

"Only five out of 90 get through the first qualifier on the Friday and then on the Monday there are nine spots in the tournament proper from a field of about 80.

"I have missed it by a shot twice but I will keep on going."