Nicky English (Former Tipperary hurler)

Club: Foxrock GC, Dublin and Dundrum House GC, Tipperary

Handicap: 13

1 What’s your favourite golf tournament (amateur or professional) and why?

I love watching the British Open, I enjoy it more than any other tournament. For years I’ve watched it; reminds me of being in school and watching it back then, from nine in the morning to nine at night, blanket coverage. It’s a different test and the weather usually plays its part, just like it did for Darren’s (Clarke) win. Irish golf is on top of the world at the moment.

2 Best TV golf memory?

Pádraig Harrington winning the British Open at Carnoustie (2007). It was nerve-wracking with mistakes and nervousness all the way. Ultimately it was great drama, especially to have an Irish winner at the end of it. That win opened the floodgates for Irish winners too.

3 Parkland or links? Why?

I love playing links when I get the chance. To play Royal Dublin or Portmarnock or to go down and play Ballybunion or Lahinch is a real treat. Seaside golf is hard to beat. When I get down to Kerry there’s always a holiday feel and I enjoy a game with some of the Kerry footballers down there.

4 What's your hidden gem of a golf course and why?

Woodenbridge Golf Club in Wicklow is a real gem, particularly in autumn when the leaves and trees are changing colour. The course is down in the vale and runs by the Avoca river; it’s a beautiful spot in a fantastic setting. That and the new course at Headfort in Kells are real gems.

5 How would you deal with someone you suspected of cheating, would you sign their card?

Luckily I have never been subjected to it. To be honest I don’t think you could sign someone’s card if you were absolutely certain. If someone backed you up in the fourball then yes you’d call the person. Rarely happens in the type of games I play for none of us take it too seriously.

6 If you could introduce one rule how would you combat slow play?

I like to play quickly myself but to be honest there’s not a whole lot you can do about it. I don’t have any serious thoughts about it. I play golf for a bit of fun and I play badly most of the time so it doesn’t really matter how long it takes.

7 Has equipment technology had a detrimental effect on genuine golfing talent/ability? If so, what changes would you make?

Certainly hasn’t done a whole lot for me anyway! Like in any sport equipment is constantly improving. I’m of a view that players of any modern sport are better than previous eras. It’s not all down to equipment, people are stronger and fitter nowadays.

8 What’s in the bag?

Jaysus, good question! TaylorMade R9 driver and three-wood and a couple of rescue clubs but haven’t a clue what they are. I have TaylorMade irons too and a Scotty Cameron putter.

9 150-yards from the hole, what’s in your hands?

Nine-iron.

10 Playing amongst friends, would you play for a wager or what type of match?

Ah, it’s probably €5, €5, €5 something like that, just for a bit of fun or for the price of lunch.

11 Who is the greatest – Jack Nicklaus or Tiger Woods? Other?

In any sport I think it’s very hard to compare different generations. I’ve seen more of Woods than Nicklaus and thought he was a fabulous player. Ultimately Nicklaus has more Majors and I’d be very surprised if Woods, from where he is now, can get back and win any more.

12 If you had one final round of golf who would be in the fourball and where?

Myself and Joe Hayes would take on ‘Bomber’ Liston and ‘Ogie’ Moran and we’d play at Ballybunion. There’s only one winner in that fourball, no question. So long as Joe is on his game then the Tipp boys win every time.