Holywood’s Tom McKibbin can beat Rory McIlroy and become the youngest Irish golfer to win twice on the DP World Tour after an eight-under 64 left him just two shots behind clubhouse leader Matteo Manassero in the Jonsson Workwear Open in South Africa.
Rory McIlroy might have made a slow start to 2015 but after going out in level par with one birdie and one bogey on his card, the world No 1 was inspired by a back nine wonder-shot as he stormed home in 31 to match pal Rickie Fowler in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship.
Irish golf’s biggest stars will be to the fore when the 2014 Irish Open takes place at Fota Island Resort from 19th – 22nd June, in front of an expected attendance of over 100,000 in what promises to be an unforgettable festival of golf, writes the European Tour.
Peter Lawrie tees off on the first in the third round of the UBS Hong Kong Open. Photo Jenny Matthews/www.golffile.iePeter Lawrie entered the week comparing himself to the Gingerbread Man as he prepared to fend off the challengers to his position as the man in the Race to Dubai hotseat.
Matteo Manassero kisses the Singapore Open trophy. Picture by Getty ImagesRory McIlroy finished third to clinch the Race to Dubai title as Matteo Manassero defied heat, humidity and fatigue to win the Barclays Singapore Open after a play-off with South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen.
Matteo Manassero has now won twice in just 25 starts as a professional. Photo: Eoin Clarke/golffile.ie. So the fresh-faced youngster with the Irish caddie won again. No, not Rory McIlroy, who had to settle for third place for the ninth time in his European Tour career, but the 17-year old Italian Matteo Manassero (and Coleraine-born bagman Ryan McGuigan).
Rory McIlroy has done his reputation no end of good in Kuala Lumpur this week by bouncing back from the bitter disappointment of a final round major championship disaster with an impressive display of mental fortitude. Unfortunately, he’s in a no-win situation.
Harrington and Noh Seung-yul at the 2010 Iskandar Johor Open.Padraig Harrington knows talent when he sees it but while he’s a huge admirer of Martin Kaymer, Rory McIlroy and Korea’s Noh Seung-Yul Noh, he’s looking to a group of ageing young ones to make their mark at last.
From the greens of Augusta to the green of the Emerald Isle and on to golfing glory? Why not?
Italy’s Matteo Manassero will make his professional debut in the BMW Italian Open in Turin in three weeks’ time and it appears certain that the 16-year old Italian superstar will be invited by the European Tour to take part in the 3 Irish Open at Killarney from July 29 to August 1.
