Who will succeed Edoardo Molinari as Challenge Tour No 1?The European Challenge Tour will continue to break fresh ground in 2010, with five new events and six new courses added to an eight-month schedule which will again span four different continents.

As for the small island of Ireland, adrift on stormy seas of recession with no sign of port in sight, it appears that the Challenge of Ireland is trying manfully not to get hurled overboard.

 

Ireland looks likely to survive the cash crisis and stage a hat-trick tour events this season.

Challenge Tour marketing executive Mark Aspland confirmed yesterday that he was "very hopeful" that the Challenge of Ireland would go ahead in July despite the economic gloom.

And it also emerged that Failte Ireland is planning to invest in the Irish Seniors Open again in addition to its announced support for the 3 Irish Open in Killarney.

England’s Robert Coles is on course to become the king of the Challenge Tour after a play-off win in the Challenge of Ireland sent him rocketing to the top to the rankings.

European Tour champions and 2001 Walker Cup teammates Michael Hoey and Graeme McDowell have both backed the Challenge of Ireland ahead of the fifth edition of the event, which for the first time will be played at Moyvalley Hotel & Golf Resort in Kildare, Ireland, from June 11-14.

Ulsterman Gareth Shaw repaid the faith shown in him by stablemate Graeme McDowell when he grabbed a share of fourth place in the Challenge of Ireland at Glasson Golf Hotel and Country Club.

Ulsterman Gareth Shaw firmly planted his foot on the first rung of the professional golfing ladder when he closed with a three-under par 69 to share fourth place in the Challenge of Ireland at Glasson Golf Hotel and Country Club near Athlone.

Irish golf heralded the arrival of a new star when Lisburn’s Gareth Shaw claimed a share of fourth place in the €150,000 Challenge of Ireland at Glasson Golf Hotel and Country Club.

Ulster rookie Gareth Shaw got a massive confidence boost when he grabbed a share of fourth place in the Challenge of Ireland at Glasson.

Lurgan's Gareth Shaw and Royal County Down's Simon Thornton kept their victory hopes alive in the Challenge of Ireland at Glasson Golf Hotel near Athlone.

Home favourite Colm Moriarty will lead a cavalry charge in chase of former US and Irish Amateur champion Richie Ramsay in the Challenge of Ireland at Glasson Golf Hotel and Country Club near Athlone.

Colm Moriarty survived a rollercoaster day to keep his victory hopes alive in the €150,000 Challenge of Ireland at Glasson Golf Hotel and Country Club near Athlone.

Local favourite Colm Moriarty slipped three shots behind pace-setter Richie Ramsay of Scotland but believes he still has a chance of winning the €150,000 Challenge of Ireland at Glasson Golf Hotel and Country Club near Athlone.

Local hero Colm Moriarty fed off his home support to grab a share of second place in the Challenge of Ireland at windlashed Glasson.

He might be nearly 4,000 miles away in Akron, but Padraig Harrington’s presence was still clearly felt in the €150,000 Challenge of Ireland as Stackstown’s Michael McDermott opened with an impressive, eight-under par 64 to claim a one stroke lead at Glasson Golf Hotel and Country Club near Athlone.

Michael McDermott confessed that thoughts of a rare 59 crossed his mind as he blasted an eight-under par 64 to lead in the €150,000 Challenge of Ireland at Glasson Golf Hotel and Country Club.

Michael McDermott was inspired by double Open champion Padraig Harrington has he blasted an eight-under par 64 to lead the Challenge of Ireland presented by Glasson.