Michael Hoey is poised to keep Ulster’s recent amazing run of success going after an opening seven under 64 at the Joburg Open.

That was an incredible 11 shots better than he managed at the same stage of the same event last year.

"I am pretty happy. I played here last year and the weather wasn't great. It didn't help as I wasn't playing well at all,” said Hoey.

“I knew then that the east course was playing tough, it was really long.

"But today it was pretty hot so the ball was going longer and that helped.

“I got off to a good start as well, so it was pretty good.

"I had probably one of the only poor swings of the day on 17 and that cost me. But I actually played solid today."

Hoey trails early clubhouse leader Trevor Fisher Jnr by one shot after the South African’s 63.

Meanwhile, Baltray has been confirmed as the venue for next May's massive re-launch of the Irish Open under the '3' banner, much to the delight of Padraig Harrington and his colleagues on the European Tour.

County Louth Golf Club are also looking forward to the event's return, five years after Australian Brett Rumford held off Harrington's challenge as he marched to Irish Open victory across their classic links in July 2004.

Club captain Kevin Byrne said it was "a great honour" to host Ireland's premier golf championship.

With three-time Major-winner Harrington leading a powerful home contingent - including teenage phenomenon Rory McIlroy - in the battle for the title, the May 14-17 tournament could herald a return to the halcyon days of the Irish Open.

Good grass-growing weather will be essential in the spring if Europe's professional elite are to be tested as rigorously as they were in 2004.

Rumford beat Harrington and Raphael Jacquelin of France by four strokes on that occasion, while Paul McGinley rekindled his prospects of a place in Bernhard Langer's Ryder Cup side at Oakland Hills that September in a tie for fifth.

"I was a member at County Louth as a junior and I'm absolutely delighted the Irish Open is going back there," McGinley said.

"In my opinion, the event has probably gone from the best inland course in Ireland, Adare Manor, to our best links course, Baltray."

Harrington said: "Baltray certainly is one of the most exciting links courses in the country.

“I expect the tournament there to be a great success."