Rory McIlroy birdied seven of his last 10 holes to open with a 66 in Dubai. Photo Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ieRory McIlroy missed a golden opportunity to earn some brownie points with his other half when he gave his caddie the credit for helping him birdie seven of the last 10 holes and open with a six under 66 in the Dubai Desert Classic.

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Michael Hoey finished 12th behidn Paul Lawrie in the Commercialbank Qatar Masters. Photo Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ieMichael Hoey shook off the effects of a stomach bug to clinch his best finish since last season’s Alfred Dunhill Championship victory and boost his Ryder Cup hopes at the 54-hole Commercialbank Qatar Masters.

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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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Updated on Saturday, January 14, 2012 at 9:44 by Brian Keogh

Peter Lawrie has decided to try the belly putter for a trial period. Pictured during Friday’s second round at Royal Johannesburg by Carl Fourie/www.golffile.iePeter Lawrie has joined the belly putter brigade in his first event of the season.

The Dubliner promised to make radical changes to his putting after a disapointing performance on the greens last term. And he was true to his word on his arrival in South Africa where he opened with rounds of 72 and 68 to share 56th place with the likes of Masters champion Charl Schwartzel in the weather-delayed Joburg Open.

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A determined looking Damien McGrane during the opening round of the Joburg Open at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club. Photo by Luke Walker/www.golffile.ieNot even a bogey at the last could wipe the smile off Damien McGrane’s face as he fired an eight under 63 to grab a share of the clubhouse lead in the weather-delayed Joburg Open.

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Peter Lawrie drives at the 18th at St Andrews last year. Picture Stuart Adams /www.golffile.ie 2nd October 2011Peter Lawrie knows he must hole more putts if he’s to improve his “horrendous” major record.

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World No 3 Rory McIlroy is hotly fancied to become world No 1 next year. Picture Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ieNow that Rory McIlroy has a major title on his mantelpiece, the bookies expect him to continue to rack up the wins and take over as world No 1. Of course, they haven’t forgotten about Tiger Woods.

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Michael Hoey. Picture Fran Caffrey www.golffile.ieRory McIlroy might have reached world No 2, won the US Open and finished the season as the world No 3 but if the world rankings are a barometer of golfing merit then Michael Hoey can argue that he was the most improved Irish player this year.

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Updated on Sunday, December 11, 2011 at 18:17 by Brian Keogh

Rory McIlroy in action in Dubai this week. Picture Denise Cleary www.golffile.ieRory McIlroy’s race is run for 2011 but what now for the world No 2 and his manager Conor Ridge.

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Rory McIlroy goes wild in Hong Kong. Picture Jenny Matthews/www.golffile.ieRory McIlroy is almost as well known for snatching defeat from the jaws of victory as he is for his stunning victory romps.

But after going stark raving bonkers by holing a bunker shot on the 72nd hole to win the UBS Hong Kong Open by two shots to revive the seemingly moribund Race to Dubai, he killed about three birds with one swing of his sand wedge.

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Gareth Maybin jumps into the arms of his caddie Basile Dalberto after acing the fourth at Fanling Golf Club in the second round of the UBS Hong Kong Open. Picture Jenny Matthews/GOLFFILEIf Gareth Maybin goes on to retain his European Tour card on Sunday night he may look back on the hole-in-one he scored in the second round of the UBS Hong Kong Open and thank his lucky stars.

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Gareth Maybin anxiously watches an iron shot during the final round of the SA Open. Picture golffile.ie/Carl Fourie/golfsupport.nlGareth Maybin’s immediate European Tour future will be decided at this week’s Hong Kong Open after he slipped two places to 120th in the money list following the South African Open.

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Padraig Harrington sinks his birdie putt on the ninth during Sunday’s final round in the 54-hole Iskandar Johor Open 2011 at the Horizon Hills Golf Resort. Photo Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.iePadraig Harrington recorded his best finish on tour for 13 months yet still jetted out of Malaysia a disappointed man.

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Padraig Harrington tees off in his second round on Friday. Picture Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.iePadraig Harrington fought off the effects of a stomach bug to storm home in 32 and go into the third round of the weather-delayed Iskandar Johor Open just two shots behind leader Daniel Chopra.

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Padraig Harrington tees off on the 15th in the first round of the Iskandar Johor Open. Photo Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ieEven multiple major champions need a shot of confidence from time to time and Padraig Harrington is no exception.

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