Nedbank Challenge
European TourBrian KeoghShane Lowry, Race to Dubai, Nedbank Challenge, Gary Player, Alan LowryComment

Lowry hungry for $1.25m Sun City cherry on top of tasty year

It's officially the first event of the 2015 Race to Dubai but for Shane Lowry it's his last chance to end a brilliant 2014 with a win and he's determined to challenge for the $1.25m top prize in the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa.

European TourBrian KeoghShane Lowry, Race to Dubai, Nedbank Challenge, Gary Player, Alan LowryComment
Lowry hungry for $1.25m Sun City cherry on top of tasty year
Asian Tour, Challenge Tour, European Tour, Sunshine TourBrian KeoghChris Devlin, David Higgins, European Tour Qualifying School, Gareth Maybin, Graeme McDowell, Hong Kong Open, Lee Westwood, Mick McGeady, Nedbank Challenge, Neil O Briain, Padraig Harrington, Rory McIlroyComment

Irish facing Sunday stress on three continents

Big Mick McGeady hit two eagle threes on day two of the European Tour Q-School Second Stage in Spain to keep his qualifying hopes alive. Pictured here at September’s Austrian Open by Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ieAnyone who doubts that golf is the most mentally demanding of games needs only study Ireland’s professionals on Sunday as they battle their personal demons on five courses from Hong Kong and Sun City to sunny Spain.
Asian Tour, Challenge Tour, European Tour, Sunshine TourBrian KeoghChris Devlin, David Higgins, European Tour Qualifying School, Gareth Maybin, Graeme McDowell, Hong Kong Open, Lee Westwood, Mick McGeady, Nedbank Challenge, Neil O Briain, Padraig Harrington, Rory McIlroyComment
Sunshine TourBrian KeoghDarren Clarke, Graeme McDowell, Nedbank Challenge, Pete CowenComment

McDowell survives "fresh air" to lead in Sun City

Graeme McDowell with caddie Ken Comboy during the second round of the $5m Nedbank Golf Challenge. Picture golffile.ie/Luke Walker/golffupportPadraig Harrington hasn’t worked with him long enough to feel the benefit but Graeme McDowell can vouch for Pete Cowen’s credentials as the best “fixer” in the game after snatching the halfway lead in the Nedbank Golf Challenge.
Sunshine TourBrian KeoghDarren Clarke, Graeme McDowell, Nedbank Challenge, Pete CowenComment
Sunshine TourBrian KeoghDarren Clarke, Graeme McDowell, Nedbank ChallengeComment

McDowell two off the pace in Sun City

Graeme McDowell shot a two under 70 in the first round of the Nedbank Golf Challenge. Picture golffile.ie/Luke Walker/golfsupportGraeme McDowell shrugged off a wayward day with the driver to shoot a two under 70 and trail defending champion Lee Westwood and Masters winner Charl Schwartzel by just two shots after the opening round of the $5m Nedbank Golf Challenge in Sun City.
Sunshine TourBrian KeoghDarren Clarke, Graeme McDowell, Nedbank ChallengeComment
Sunshine TourBrian KeoghLee Westwood, Nedbank Challenge, Padraig Harrington1 Comment

"If this is the worst it’s going to get, I’ll be a very happy man" - Harrington

Padraig Harrington does not believe his season has been a complete disaster.

He missed the cut in three of the four majors and dropped from fifth in the world at the start of the year to 22nd heading into this week’s Nedbank Golf Challange. But he says he’ll try to remember 2010 for his win in the Iskandar Johor Open in Malaysia, his rash of top-10 finishes and his role in Europe’s Ryder Cup victory.

Sunshine TourBrian KeoghLee Westwood, Nedbank Challenge, Padraig Harrington1 Comment
European TourBrian KeoghNedbank Challenge, Rory McIlroyComment

McIlroy on the mend after "lesson learned"

Rory McIlroy confessed that his punishing end of season schedule and physical breakdown in Sun City was an expensive "lesson learned."

The world No 11 and European No 2 was forced to withdraw from last week's Nedbank Golf Challenge suffering from a flu virus and food poisoning.

The illness cost him the chance to finish the year in the world's top 10 and up to $1m in prize money.

European TourBrian KeoghNedbank Challenge, Rory McIlroyComment