Rory McIlroy shows of his powerfully built forearms in Abu Dhabi. Picture by Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ieIt seems like only yesterday that Rory McIlroy was watching Tiger Woods play in Dubai, dashing around the grounds of the Emirates Club with pal Harry Diamond like a couple of schoolboys after the final class of summer term.

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Reeve Whitson made a good start in the Lake Macquarie Amateur in Australia. Picture by Pat Cashman (courtesy Golfing Union of Ireland/www.gui.ie)Richard O’Donovan (70) and Reeve Whitson (71) made steady starts at the Lake Macquarie Amateur Open Championship in Belmont.

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Stephanie Meadow with coach Han Hankey. Pic courtesy www.ijga.comStephanie Meadow has been named alongside twins Lisa and Leona Maguire in the 12-strong Great Britain & Ireland preliminary squad for the 37th Curtis Cup match against the United States at The Nairn Golf Club from June 8 to 10, 2012.

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Rory McIlroy speaks to the media on the eve of the first round in Abu Dhabi. Picture Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ieRory McIlroy will get a chance to see how his game stacks up against a fully fit Tiger Woods when he tees it up alongside the American and world No 1 Luke Donald in the first two rounds of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship.

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Tiger Woods is back on the prowl again - fitter, stronger and more determined that ever.

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Kartel is synoymous with Padraig Harrington, who signed for the Dublin-based clothing company in 1996 and went on to spread its name worldwide through his numerous successes on the golf course. Now, with the brand entering the US market, Graeme McDowell has come aboard as an ambassador with his own clothing line, G-Mac by Kartel.

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Jose Maria Olazabal will delay naming his Ryder Cup picks until the Monday after the Johnnie Walker at Gleneagles. Picture ©Getty ImagesJosé Maria Olazábal kick-started Ryder Cup year by revealing that he would announce his two captain’s picks on the Monday following the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles, the European Tour writes.

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Padraig Harrington hits an iron on the final day of the Volvo Golf Champions. Photo by Carl Fourie www.golffile.ieThe door was open but Padraig Harrington failed to walk through it as he closed with a disappointing three over 76 to finish eight shots outside a play-off for the Volvo Golf Champions in South Africa.

Having hauled himself back into the tournament on Saturday to trail the leaders by just three shots, the Dubliner had 34 putts in a poor closing effort in perfect weather conditions and had to settle for a share of 10th place behind Branden Grace, who saw off boyhood heroes Retief Goosen and Ernie Els in a play-off.

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Padraig Harrington in action during the third round of the Volvo Golf Champions. Photo by Carl Fourie www.golffile.iePadraig Harrington goes into the final round of the Volvo Golf Champions pursued by the tyranny of results but buoyed by the knowledge that he’s got a great chance to slay some particularly persistent demons.

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Shane Lowry is the new touring professional for Carton House in County Kildare. The Clara man now lives on the estate.Shane Lowry believes he can become a European Tour heavy hitter without joining the pumping iron brigade.

The 16-stone sweet swinger from Offaly has piled up €1.7m in tour earnings since he memorably captured the Irish Open as an amateur just over two and a half years ago.

But as he prepares to start his season in Abu Dhabi next week as the new touring professional for Carton House, the 24-year old from Clara insists he doesn’t need to become a gym rat to secure that elusive second win and a place in the world’s elite.

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Shane Lowry could be a dark horse for a Ryder Cup debut this year.

But while the Offaly ace refuses to think about making Jose Maria Olazabal’s team, he reckons he’d die for Paul McGinley if the Dubliner got the captaincy at Gleneagles in 2014.

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The 17th at Fancourt. Padraig Harrington blew a golden opportunity to challenge for his first European Tour win for more than 15 months when compounded mental errors at the 16th and 17th by racking up a double bogey at the par-five 18th for the second day running at the Volvo Golf Champions in South Africa.

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Gareth Maybin has been getting ready for the new season in South Carolina where he worked with Rickey Sullivan, the teaching pro at Bull’s Bay Golf Club near Charleston. According to thestate.com, “Maybin flew in from his home in Northern Ireland for four days of instruction.”

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Niall Kearney and Niall Turner are outside the top 40 entering the final round of the Asian Tour Qualifying School at Sprinfgield Royal Country Club near Hua Hin in Thailand.Irish hopefuls Niall Kearney and Niall Turner must break par on the final day if they are to win their Asian Tour cards at Qualifying School finals in Thailand.

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Gary Hurley bit the dust in the Australian Amateur despite a spirited fightback. Picture © Pat Cashman (courtesy GUI).Irish interest in the Australian Amateur Open ended last night when Gary Hurley was beaten on the 18th in the second round.

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