Watch out America, Shane Lowry believes he has “gained the respect” he feels he deserves in the US and will be ready to “come out all guns blazing in January” to improve on his memorable 2015.

Darren Clarke and Shane Lowry have backed the European Tour’s move not to sanction the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational next year.

Shane Lowry might have his PGA Tour card in the bag but the man from the Faithful County has vowed to remain true to Ireland.

Any remote hope the PGA of America might have in seeing Rory McIlroy defend his US PGA title at Whistling Straits faded a little more on Wednesday when the world No 1 informed tournament officials that he will not be defending his World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational title in Akron next week.

Rory McIlroy has been named The 2014 Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Year, collecting the prestigious award for the second time in three years following an extraordinary season, writes the European Tour.

He was No 1 in all but name before the start but as Tiger Woods limped away with a recurrence of his back injury to vacate the throne, Rory hit Sergio Garcia with four thunderous blows in the first five holes and officially claimed the crown as he became only the second player since Woods to win a major and a WGC back-to-back when he claimed the Bridgestone Invitational by two strokes at Firestone on 15 under par.

Rory McIlroy came out after a three-hour weather delay and birdied his final two holes to cut Sergio Garcia's five shot lead to just three heading into the final round of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Akron.