Rory McIlroy, who has slipped from first to 13th in recent months despite his great showings in the European Team Championship and in the British Open is the best placed of five Irishmen in the World' s Top-100 and, as sixth best British or Irish player on the list, seems assured of Walker Cup honours next month.

Whether the R&A will be governed, or just guided, by its own rankings in picking the British & Irish team is not known. What is known is that McIlroy alone will represent us in the match at Royal County Down if the selectors stick with the listings as the next best Irishman is Niall Turner at 65th overall or 16th amongst the British & Irish players.

The other Irish placings are Gareth Shaw at 68th (17th in Britain & Ireland), Jonathan Caldwell at 74th (19th), Seamus Power at 93rd (21st) and Simon Ward at 110th (27th).

It is hardly surprising, but nonetheless disappointing, to find that the R&A suggests that 96 of the world's top-200 amateurs are Americans.

Twenty are English, 10 are Scottish, seven are Irish and four are Welsh. That is a worrying scoreline of 96-41 against the home team next month.

Adding to the worries is the fact that Scottish star Richie Ramsay, who this year became the first British player since 1911 to win the US Amateur title, has decided to go professional despite missing the cut at all three majors he was invited to this year.

"I have had a great amateur experience and am hugely grateful to everyone who has supported me", said the 24year-old before heading off to play in the Russian Open.

"Sure, " one could hear the mumblings of the powers-thatbe as they watched him leave just five weeks before he could have done something to intimidate, or at least give cause for thought to, the invading American team. If that is gratitude one can only imagine what a Scottish kick in the face would be like.

In fairness to young Ramsay it is to be hoped that the next five weeks will prove lucrative to him and help him avoid Tour School at the end of the year.

Meanwhile, going by the World Rankings it looks as though the team will consist of seven or eight English, two or three Scots, one or two Welshmen, and at best two Irish.

But one never knows when it comes to the behaviour of selectors of amateur teams.

AMEN CORNER GOLF TIP OF THE WEEK

Tips for tough playing conditions with Emmanuel Riblet, Golf Pro, Premier Golf, Santry Tough playing conditions are a fact of life for any Irish golfer and as adverse weather cannot be avoided, you need to adapt your golf game to suit the elements.

The ball does not travel as far as it usually would in windy and cold weather. To counteract this effect you should choose a lower club to get better distance, at times this could mean taking up to three clubs more then you normally would. If the temperature is very cold make sure to keep extra golf balls in your pocket to keep them warm as warm golf balls fly further then cold ones.

When rain is added to these tough playing conditions the key is to make sure that your hands, glove, grip and clubs stay dry so be fully prepared and bring extra towels, wet gear and gloves.