Irish Golf Desk

Golf news and features

Irish Golf Desk - Irish Golf News
© Brian Keogh 2008
Site last published: 11/21/08

Harrington insists he can get better

King of Europe Padraig Harrington believes he will be better than ever in 2007. Read More...

Harrington to play left-handed for fun

Padraig Harrington started his winter break in Las Vegas yesterday - playing golf left-handed against his pals. Read More...

Woods rates 2006 better than 2000

Tiger Woods clinched his 11th title of the year at the Target World Challenge and confessed: This is better than 2000. Read More...

Harrington finishes season on a high

European No 1 Padraig Harrington produced a brilliant back nine performance in California to finish the season on a high. Read More...

Topsy-turvy finish for Harrington

Padraig Harrington had a topsy-turvy finish to his season as Tiger Woods clinched a four-stroke victory in the Target World Challenge at Sherwood Country Club in California. Read More...

Harrington fails to capitalise

Padraig Harrington failed to capitalise on a red-hot start in the Target World Challenge at soggy Sherwood Country Club. Read More...

Majors don't make the man

Majors. They are the ultimate badge of honour in the game of professional golf, yet even if a player manages to win one, it is no guarantee that he will be more respected by his peers than a man with none. Read More...

Things you didn't know about Padraig Harrington

Things you didn't know about Padraig Harrington Read More...

McGinley according to Harrington

Paul McGinley racked up the biggest number of his life today when he turned 40. Read More...

Harrington wants links warm-up for Carnoustie

Padraig Harrington wants to warm up for next year’s Open by chasing his fourth Irish PGA title on a links course. Read More...

Harrington scorches back in LA

Padraig Harrington mounted a thrilling comeback in the Target World Challenge last night with a sensational five under par 67 at sun-splashed Sherwood Country Club. Read More...

Thrilling comeback for Harrington in LA

Padraig Harrington mounted a thrilling comeback in the Target World Challenge last night with a best of the day, five-under-par 67 at sun-splashed Sherwood Country Club. Read More...

Harrington blows it in LA

Padraig Harrington saw his Target World Challenge hopes go up in smoke as he crashed to a disappointing first round 75 at Sherwood Country Club. Read More...

Ireland to host 2011 Solheim Cup

Ireland has landed the 2011 Solheim Cup - thanks to the massive success of the Ryder Cup. Read More...

Harrington jokes that Woods is running scared

Tiger tamer Padraig Harrington danced for joy around the locker room at Sherwood Country Club and roared: "I have him scared, he's on the run." Read More...

Woods hails hard-working Harrington

World No 1 Tiger Woods has hailed Padraig Harrington for his incredible work ethic. Read More...

The agony of Q-School

"I wanted to get my card. When I first came out I had no status or exemptions. I was praying not to go to Q School, just praying. Because anything can happen at Q School." Tiger Woods

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AIB Irish Seniors for PGA National

The thoroughbreds of the European Seniors Tour will be on parade at PGA National next year. Read More...

Daly tips Harrington for Major glory

'Wild Thing' John Daly is convinced the super-steady Padraig Harrington WILL win a Major. Read More...

Harrington set for another Tiger duel

Padraig Harrington will be hoping to extend his brilliant record against Tiger Woods in the Target World Challenge. Read More...

World Cup woe for Ireland in Barbados

Ireland's Barbados World Cup hopes suffered a potential killer blow at windswept Sandy Lane. Read More...

Nolan's golfing love affair

Keith Nolan reflected on his Q-School success and confessed: I did it all for love. Read More...

Higgins starts season with a bang

Determined David Higgins got his teeth into the new season with a super 69 in the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek. Read More...

World Cup war as Irish battle to stay in touch

Irish duo Padraig Harrington and Paul McGinley had to battle to stay in touch at the WGC-Barbados World Cup. Read More...

Sky's the limit for Rory McIlroy

It was long after he had ceased giving his parents an early morning wake up call by whacking them over the head with a plastic golf club and several years after he had started referring to himself as Rory 'Nick Faldo' McIlroy.
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Odd couple Irish for Sandy Lane

Padraig Harrington believes his "odd couple" relationship with Paul McGinley can bring Ireland World Cup glory in Barbados. Read More...

Nolan comes up short at Q-School

Comeback king Keith Nolan came up an agonising three shots shy of earning his PGA Tour card. Read More...

Harrington ready for unexpected

European No 1 Padraig Harrington is prepared for the unexpected in golf - starting at this week's World Cup in Barbados. Read More...

McGinley banking on pride at World Cup

Paul McGinley is hoping that pride will come to the rescue as he partners Padraig Harrington in the WGC - Barbados World Cup. Read More...

Green wins New Zealand Open

Aussie Nathan Green stormed out of the pack to win the Blue Chip New Zealand Open. Read More...

Off colour Harrington third in Sun City

Padraig Harrrington went from hero to zero as Jim Furyk retained the Nedbank Challenge in Sun City. Read More...

Rory will be sensational says Clarke

Darren Clarke is jaded from his whistlestop book signing tour in either side of the Irish Sea. Read More...

Harrington was destined to beat Tiger says Williams

Tiger Woods' caddie Steve Williams believes Padraig Harrington was "destined" to beat his boss in Japan. Read More...

Harrington trails Furyk in Sun City

Defending champion Jim Furyk scorched into a four-shot lead in the $4.3 million Nedbank Challenge as Padraig Harrington failed to sparkle. Read More...

McGrane steady in rainy New Zealand Open

Straight-hitting Damien McGrane got off to a solid start in the rain-lashed $1.5 million Blue Chip New Zealand Open. Read More...

Coakley starts well at Q-School

Carlow's Rebecca Coakley got off to a flyer in her bid to win an LPGA tour card in Florida. Read More...

Nolan starts well at Q School

Keith Nolan got off to an ideal start in his bid to regain his PGA Tour card in California. Read More...

Harrington pays the price of confidence

In-form Padraig Harrington realised he was human after all as he fired a rollercoaster 69 in the $4.3 million Nedbank Golf Challenge. Read More...

Harrington on form in Sun City

In-form Padraig Harrington roared to a seven under 65 to win the Nedbank Challenge Pro-Am in Sun City. Read More...

Nolan joins fallen stars at Q-School

Keith Nolan must outshine a constellation of fallen stars when he begins the battle to regain his PGA Tour card today.
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Clarke believes adversity can make him stronger

Darren Clarke hopes that the most traumatic year of his life can make him a major force in golf. Read More...

Coughlan moves into big leagues

Tour School champ Claire Coughlan will be playing Solheim Cup catch up next year.
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Clarke wants no sympathy

Family man Darren Clarke says he will feel "uncomfortable" if he wins the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.
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Clarke eyes Ryder Cup captaincy

Darren Clarke says he would "relish" the honour of being handed the European Ryder Cup captaincy. Read More...

Harrington can become $6 million man

Pooped Padraig Harrington can become Irish golf's $6 million man over the next three weeks.
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Top card for Coughlan

Claire Coughlan grabbed the top card at the Ladies European Tour School - with a little help from fiancé David Ryan. Read More...

Rose ends victory drought in Australia

Justin Rose ended his four-year victory drought with a rollercoaster win in the MasterCard Australian Masters.
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Fox bids to conquer dark art of putting

Noel Fox was once the Luke Skywalker of Irish golf - a dashing hero who conquered all in the amateur game. Read More...

McGrane makes his move Down Under

Damien McGrane stormed to second round 67 as Aussie amateur Aaron Pike moved two shots clear at the MasterCard Masters. Read More...

Giant step for Coughlan at School

Munster marvel Claire Coughlan took a giant step towards her Ladies European Tour card in Spain.
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Boys to men

The line that separates boys from youths and youths from men was blurred a little more this season with some outstanding individual performances both at national and international level. Read More...

Cricketer leads Aussie Masters

Former Aussie cricketer Aaron Pike knocked a host of professional stars for six to grab the lead in the MasterCard Masters in Melbourne.
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Woods wins PGA Grand Slam in Hawaii

Tiger Woods bounced back from defeat to Padraig Harrington to win the Grand Slam of Golf for the seventh time. Read More...

Coughlan on course at Q School

Amateur ace Claire Coughlan remained on course to grab her Ladies European Tour card in Spain. Read More...

Fast start for Coughlan at Q-School

Mighty atom Claire Coughlan made a fast start in her bid to qualify for the Ladies European Tour.
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Swot Harrington gets Honorary Fellowship

Golfing superstar Padraig Harrington recalled his "oddball" college days when he was conferred with an Honorary Fellowship by the Dublin Business School at the RDS yesterday. Read More...

Harrington wants to be like Monty

Tiger slayer Padraig Harrington says he wants to be more like the master of consistency - Colin Montgomerie. Read More...

Majors next as Harrington beats Tiger

Padraig Harrington beamed from ear-to-ear as Tiger Woods helped into the green and navy check jacket awarded to the winner of the Dunlop Phoenix Tournament. Read More...

Nolan goes California dreaming

Comeback king Keith Nolan will go California dreaming in search of his PGA Tour card next week.
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McIlroy 59th in Australian Open

Teenager Rory McIlroy closed with a five over par 77 to finish tied 59th in the MFS Australian Open.
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Nolan chasing tour card

Bray's Keith Nolan is on track to regain his PGA Tour card after finishing tied fifth in his stage two qualifier in Texas.
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Wire to wire win for Lara

Spain's Jose Manuel Lara grabbed his maiden European Tour win with a wire-to- wire victory at the UBS Hong Kong Open.
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Harrington beats Woods in Japan

Brave Padraig Harrington produced a miracle shot to deny Tiger Woods a hat-trick of wins in the Dunlop Phoenix Tournament in Japan. Read More...

Harrington sticks to his guns

Padraig Harrington sent Tiger Woods to his first play-off defeat for eight years and beamed: "I stuck to my guns."
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Patient Harrington beats defensive Tiger Woods

Patient Padraig Harrington took advantage of a defensive performance by Tiger Woods to snatch a memorable play-off victory in the Dunlop Phoenix Tournament in Japan. Read More...

McIlroy makes cut in Oz

Rory McIlroy made the cut with ease in the Australian Open and vowed: "The best is yet to come." Read More...

Nolan leads PGA Tour Q-School

Bray's Keith Nolan stormed into a share of the lead at the second stage of the PGA Tour Q-School in Texas.
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Harrington set for Tiger showdown

Padraig Harrington will partner Tiger Woods in the third round of the Dunlop Phoenix Tournament in Japan and get a major boost.
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McGinley woe in Hong Kong

Peter Lawrie and Damien McGrane scorched to rounds in the sixties as Paul McGinley crashed out of the UBS Hong Kong Open.
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McGrane hot as McGinley goes cold

Damien McGrane got off to a hot start as Paul McGInley battled an "ice cold" putter in the UBS Hong Kong Open. Read More...

Hot putter helps Harrington track Tiger

Padraig Harrington single putted an amazing 13 times to keep Tiger Woods in his sights in Japan. Read More...

Seve backs Irish fans

Spanish superstar Seve Ballesteros believes that golf-mad Irish fans can inspire Europe to a fourth Ryder Cup win on the trot. Read More...

Higgins vows to bounce back

David Higgins crashed to second last place in the Qualifying School but vowed to come back a better player.
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Honours shared at Q School

Spain's Carlos Rodiles and Brazilian Alexandre Rocha shared top spot in a marathon European Tour Qualifying School finals at San Roque. Read More...

Higgins vows to come back stronger

Waterville's David Higgins vowed to come back a better player after crashing to second last place in the rain-delayed European Tour Qualifying School finals.
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Rocha and Rodiles win marathon Q-School

Spain's Carlos Rodiles and Brazilian Alexandre Rocha shared top spot as a marathon European Tour Qualifying School finals sloshed to a conclusion at rain-sodden San Roque. Read More...

Higgins resigned to Challenge Tour in 2007

Waterville's David Higgins has all but resigned himself to playing most of his golf on the Challenge Tour next season after carding a four over par 76 in the fifth round of the European Tour Qualifying School at San Roque. Read More...

Walton crashes out at Q-School

Philip Walton crashed out of the European Tour School by a whisker but insisted: “I’ll be back.”

The hero of the 1995 Ryder Cup at Oak Hill slumped to a two over par 74 at San Roque to finish on four over par and miss the 72 hole cut by just one shot. Read More...

Eighth time unlucky for Walton

It was a case of eighth time unlucky for Dubliner Philip Walton as he made his exit from the European Tour Qualifying School finals by the narrowest of margins at San Roque.

The hero of the 1995 Ryder Cup carded a two over par 74 on the Old Course but his four round total of four over par 292 proved to be one too many to survive the 72-hole cut and earn his place amongst top 70 and ties who will battle for 30 cards over the next two days. Read More...

Walton vows to make Q-School return

Echoing Arnold Schwarzenegger in ‘The Terminator’, Philip Walton surveyed the wreckage of his tour card dream and vowed: “I’ll be back.”

The 44-year-old Dubliner’s his eighth visit to the European Tour Qualifying School finals ended in bitter disappointment at San Roque when he posted a two over par 74 on the Old Course to miss the four round cut by a single shot.
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McGinley has World Cup on his mind

Paul McGinley will tee it up in Hong Kong this week with the World Cup on his mind.

The Dubliner decided last week to enter the UBS Hong Kong Open at Fanling after being snubbed for an invite to the HSBC Champion Tournament in Shanghai.

McGinley failed to make the elite field in China after a disastrous season that featured nine missed cuts and just three top tens.

But with the Barbados World Cup alongside Padraig Harrington just three weeks away he badly needs to keep his game ticking over.
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Walton battles back at Q-School

Street fighter Philip Walton battled his way into contention for his European Tour card and roared: “I’ll never give up.”

The Dubliner, 44, scorched up the leaderboard with a superb three under par 69 in the third round of the gruelling Qualifying School finals at San Roque in Spain.

And that moved him from 93rd overnight to a share of 58th place on two over par - just three shots out the top 30 who earn their cards after six rounds.
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Walton keeps card hopes alive

Ryder Cup hero Philip Walton produced a battling third round performance to revive his hopes to earning his European Tour card in Spain.

The 44-year-old Dubliner carded a three-under-par 69 on the New Course at San Roque to leap 35 spots up the leaderboard to a share of 58th on two over par.

Walton is still three shots adrift of the top 30 and ties who will earn their playing privileges for 2007 after six rounds. Read More...

Walton emerges from shadows

Dubliner Philip Walton emerged from the shadows at the European Tour Qualifying School finals at San Roque yesterday when he carded a three-under par, third round 69 to boost his chances of winning back is card.

The hero of the 1995 Ryder Cup at Oak Hill catapulted himself 35 spots up the leaderboard to a share of 58th place on two over par, leaving him just three shots adrift Waterville's David Higgins, who is just inside the vital top 30 and ties on one under par after a third round 73. Read More...

Higgins makes positive move at Q School

Waterville's David Higgins made a move in the right direction as Philip Walton lost ground in the European Tour Qualifying School Finals at San Roque.

As Spain's Carlos Rodiles carded a spectacular eight under par 64 to lead on 10 under par after two rounds, Higgins added a solid 70 to his opening 72 to move up to a share of 21st place on two under par.

However, Walton failed to take advantage of near perfect conditions as he posted what he described as a "mediocre" one over par 73 that left him in joint 93rd place on five over par. Read More...

Mixed bag for Irish at Q-School

There was a mixed bag from Irish hopefuls David Higgins and Philip Walton as the European Tour Qualifying School finals continued to produce its share of heart-warming comeback stories at San Roque.

While Higgins did his chances of retaining his card no harm by moving up to joint 21st thanks to a two-under-par 70, Walton’s hopes dwindled with a 73 that leaves him tied for 93rd place on five-over-par and 15 shots behind leader Carlos Rodiles of Spain. Read More...