Irish Golf Desk

Golf news and features

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

Looking ahead to 2008

Padraig Harrington’s bid for a second major title will keep Irish golf fans glued to their TV screens next season.
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Stenson wants to be like Padraig

Ice-man Henrik Stenson says he needs to be more like fighting Irishman Padraig Harrington.
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Harrington's Christmas cheer

Padraig Harrington says putting the Claret Jug on the dinner table this Christmas might not be a bad idea.
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Furyk ready for McIlroy

Jim Furyk hopes Rory McIlroy makes next year’s Ryder Cup - so Europe lose! Read More...

What next for Harrington

Vijay Singh calls it “a mind blowing experience” and Fred Couples says it’s “an incredible feat.”
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Sabbatini facing probe

Conflicting reports explaining Rory Sabbatini?s premature and controversial withdrawal from the Target World Challenge will be met with a full postmortem by tournament host Tiger Woods that looks certain to exacerbate their already strained relationship.
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Harrington prepares for change

As Tiger Woods wrapped up the eighth win of a momentous season in the Target World Challenge at Sherwood Country Club, echoes of Padraig Harrington’s epic Open Championship victory reverberated around the Hidden Valley.
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Sabbatini irks Tiger

Rory Sabbatini will feel the wrath of Tiger Woods after his shock withdrawal from the Target World Challenge.
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Family powers Woods

Family power is king for golf’s crown prince Tiger Woods.
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Swing change for Padraig

Padraig Harrington is planning a swing change that will make him as supremely accurate as Ben Hogan or Colin Montgomerie.
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Woods on target for win

Tiger Woods looked was cruising towards his fourth Target World Challenge title from nine attempts after holding off a mid-round charge by Jim Furyk at Sherwood Country Club near Los Angeles.
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Harrington in the pack

Padraig Harrington tried not to think of Christmas as Tiger Woods battled to hold off a charging Jim Furyk in the Target Word Challenge in Los Angeles.
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Clarke boost in South Africa

Darren Clarke got a massive Christmas boost with his first top-ten finish for 18 months in the South African Airways Open.
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Harrington chases Woods

Padraig Harrington donned his scoring hat in the Target World Challenge to join the chasing bunch battling to keep pace with a rampant Tiger Woods at sun-splashed Sherwood Country Club.
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Birdie blitz for Padraig

Padraig Harrington went on a birdie blitz to breath down Tiger Woods neck in the Target World Challenge near Los Angeles.
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Harrington's magical 2007

Padraig Harrington is stressed out, talked out and all played out after the most tumultuous year of his professional career.
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Harrington battles back

Battling the physical stress of dozens of post-Open commitments during his three-week break from the game, Padraig Harrington clawed his way back into contention after a sloppy start to the Target World Challenge at Sherwood Country Club outside Los Angeles.
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McIroy tipped for Ryder Cup team

Ryder Cup veteran Colin Montgomerie is convinced that Rory McIlroy’s youthful enthusiasm and golfing fearlessness would be a huge asset to Europe’s bid to win a fourth successive Ryder Cup at Valhalla in Kentucky next September.
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Clarke survives gale

Darren Clarke survived gale force conditions to lead the Irish challenge in the South African Airways Open.
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McIlroy can make Ryder Cup

Colin Montgomerie believes “fearless” Rory McIlroy can be Europe’s secret weapon in next year’s Ryder Cup in Kentucky.
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Woods hails year to remember

Tiger Woods has been asked some odd questions in his time but nothing comes close to the x-rated ambushing he got in his pre-tournament press conference for the Target World Challenge at Sherwood Country Club in the well-heeled suburbs of Los Angeles.
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Woods will come to Europe

Padraig Harrington believes that Tiger Woods is gunning to officially complete his domination of world golf by taking the European Order of Merit.
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Clarke optimistic on future

Darren Clarke is convinced that he is about to finish his disastrous 2007 season on a high.
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Woods stung by blonde

Tiger Woods ended up red-faced after a sex-packed TV 'sting' during a press conference for his Target World Challenge in LA.
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Tiger still the daddy

Padraig Harrington might be a father twice over but Tiger Woods is still the daddy on the golf course.
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Woods more dominant than ever

When asked what he thought it was that made Tiger Woods the unstoppable force he is today, Padraig Harrington didn’t even pause for thought.
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Woods says no to Dubai World Championship

Hopes of seeing Tiger Woods play the European Tour’s inaugural $10 million Dubai World Championship in 2009 took a nose-dive at a pre-tournament press conference by the world number one ahead of the Target World Challenge at Sherwood Country Club near Los Angeles.
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Harrington wins IGWA award

Open champion Pádraig Harrington landed yet another gong yesterday when he was named ‘Professional of the Year’ by the Irish Golf Writers’ Association.
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Grant aid for amateur golf

Grants totalling €75,000 have been awarded by the Golfing Union of Ireland to leading amateur golfers. The grant allocation, which is funded by the Irish Sports Council, is in respect of national and international competition and training costs in 2007. The grants are awarded based on specific criteria agreed by the Irish Sports Council and the Golfing Union of Ireland. Read More...

New horizons for McDowell

Graeme McDowell has revealed how one moment of club-smashing madness inspired him to completely reassess his career.
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McGinley blows it in 'Nam

Paul McGinley lost his patience and blew up in the Hana Bank Vietnam Masters near Hanoi.
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World Cup win for Scotland

Ireland slumped to 24th place as Scots Colin Montgomerie and Marc Warren won the Omega Mission Hills World Cup in sudden death.
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McIlroy slips in Melbourne

Rory McIlroy played second fiddle to an old rival as Aaron Baddeley won the Australian Masters in a four-hole play-off.
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Harrington the Daddy

Open champion Padraig Harrington became a father for the second time on Saturday.
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Harrington ready for 2008

Padraig Harrington believes that becoming a father the second time is the reality check he needs to win another major.
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Hoey and Maybin in the mix

Battling Ulstermen Michael Hoey and Gareth Maybin are on course for the biggest pay day of their careers in the Omega Mission Hills World Cup.
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McGinley moves up in Vietnam

Paul McGinley scorched up the leaderboard at the halfway stage of the Hana Bank Vietnam Masters in Hanoi.
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McIlroy on fire in Mastercard Masters

Wizard of Oz Rory McIlroy roared into a share of third in the Australian Masters.
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World Cup is not mission impossible

Irish duo Gareth Maybin and Michael Hoey refuse to concede that their Omega World Cup bid is mission impossible.
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McIlroy rules okay

Rules whizz Rory McIlroy left his Aussie playing partners red-faced at the Mastercard Masters in Melbourne.
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McGinley struggling in Vietnam

Paul McGinley has a battle on his hands to make the cut in the inaugural Hana Bank Vietnam Masters in Hanoi.
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McIlroy to be wizard in Oz

Rory McIlroy has vowed to bounce back from his first missed cut as a pro with a top show in Australia.
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Odd couple to rule the World

Odd couple Gareth Maybin and Michael Hoey have the chemistry to cause a World Cup explosion in China.
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No cards for Browne or Moriarty

Ireland’s Colm Moriarty and Stephen Browne came up short as 30 players grabbed their cards in a heart-stopping finale to the European Tour Qualifying School Finals at San Roque.
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We'll be back say Irish pair

Irish duo Colm Moriarty and Stephen Browne have vowed to bounce back after their tour dreams were smashed at the Qualifying School Finals in Spain.
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Browne and Moriarty come up short

Lo and the west wind did blow and there was great rejoicing and great gnashing of teeth at the final judgement that is the sixth and final round of the European Tour Qualifying School finals at The San Roque Club.
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It's Patrik's day

It was Patrik’s Day at San Roque - but not for Ireland’s Colm Moriarty and Stephen Browne.
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No luck for Irish

Irish duo Colm Moriarty and Stephen Browne have vowed to bounce back after their tour dreams were smashed at the Q-School Finals in Spain.
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Q-School shootout in Spain

Irish duo Stephen Browne and Colm Moriarty face a final round shoot out to clinch their European Tour cards at San Roque.
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Tough task for Irish pair

Ireland’s Stephen Browne and Colm Moriarty have left themselves a mountain to climb entering the sixth and final round of the gruelling European Tour Qualifying School at San Roque.
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Q-School reaches climax

Athlone’s Colm Moriarty believes it will take something special but Dubliner Stephen Browne is not so sure that he will have to shoot the lights out to clinch his card in the final round of the nerve-shredding European Tour Qualifying School Finals at The San Roque Club. Read More...

Crunch time at San Roque

Stephen Browne and Colm Moriarty must go low to clinch their European Tour cards at San Roque today.
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Harrington eyes Dubai World Championship

Padraig Harrington can't wait to fill his boots when the European Tour stages the golf's richest event in Dubai in 2009.
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Mooney and McGeady exit in Spain

Damian Mooney and Michael McGeady exited the European Tour Qualifying School Finals as Stephen Browne and Colm Moriarty survived the cut on the one-over par limit.
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Just two out of five at Q-School

Stephen Browne and Colm Moriarty survived the cut by the skin of their teeth as Peter O’Keeffe exited the European Tour Qualifying School Finals disappointed but pleased with his progression as a player this season.
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Agony continues as Irish progress

The don’t call it “The Wailing Wall” for nothing but the giant leaderboard made pleasant reading for stablemates Colm Moriarty and Stephen Browne as they survived the 72 hole cut on the limit to continue their quest for a coveted European Tour card at The San Roque Club.
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House mates make the cut

Stablemates Stephen Browne and Colm Moriarty will be inseparable at San Roque after squeezing into the last two rounds of the European Tour Qualifying School Finals on the limit.
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Browne birdie blitz at San Roque

Stephen Browne produced a mid-round birdie blitz to stay on course for his tour card at San Roque.
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McDowell can't wait for '08

Graeme McDowell claimed sixth place in the UBS Hong Kong Open to finish his season on a high.
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Harrington fifth in Japan

Pooped Padraig Harrington had to settle for tied fifth behind Ian Poulter in the Dunlop Phoenix Tour in Japan.
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Nolan makes Final school

Keith Nolan cruised into US Q-School finals with a solid show in Texas.
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Mooney splashes out

Damian Mooney's European Tour card hopes sank considerably with three visits to the water in a third round 76 in the European Tour Qualifying School Finals at San Roque.
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Browne bounces back

Stephen Browne drained a 50 footer at the last for a two under par 70 to keep his European Tour card hopes alive in the third round of the Qualifying School Finals at windy San Roque.
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Browne finds inspiration

Stephen Browne discovered a swing thought just in time to revive his card bid in the third round of the 108-hole European Tour Qualifying School Finals at windy San Roque.
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Browne back in business

Stephen Browne produced a stunning back nine recovery to keep his hopes alive of making today's four-round cut as Colm Moriarty took another giant step towards earning his card in the European Tour Qualifying School Finals at San Roque.
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Mooney grinds it out

Damian Mooney produced a grinding level par 72 to keep his tour card hopes intact in the European Tour Qualifying School Finals at windy San Roque.
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O'Keeffe reeling at School

Peter O’Keeffe’s hopes of earning a dream ticket to the European Tour were shattered beyond repair for even the most optimistic Irish golf fan in the European Tour Qualifying School Finals at windswept San Roque
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Moriarty takes his lumps

Like a boxer recovering from two trips to the canvas in the opening round, Colm Moriarty picked himself up, dusted himself down and delivered a couple of haymakers to the golfing gods in the European Tour Qualifying School Finals at a blustery San Roque Club.
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Moriarty fights back at school

Colm Moriarty recovered impressively from a brace of early double bogeys to remain on course for his card in the torturous European Tour Qualifying School Finals at San Roque.
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Moriarty hangs tough

Colm Moriarty produced two stunning late birdies to keep his Q-School dream on track at windy San Roque.
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McDowell on the charge

Re-charged Graeme McDowell surged into contention at the Hong Kong Open as Rory McIlroy missed his first cut as a pro.
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Clarke lays foundations

Darren Clarke will put 16 starlets through their paces when he host his annual Darren Clarke Foundation Champions’ Weekend at Moyvalley today.
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Hoey at career crossroads

Michael Hoey is praying that next week's World Cup bid with Gareth Maybin can signal an end to his career crisis.
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O'Hagan close to goal

Ulsterman Peter O'Hagan hit a third round 74 to keep his Champions Tour dream alive.
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Nolan on track in Texas

Keith Nolan is on course to win back his PGA Tour card.
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Caddie lash inspires Padraig

Padraig Harrington finished with a spectacular tap-in eagle for a 65 and a share of the lead in the Dunlop Phoenix Tournament in Japan.
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Rollercoaster for McGeady

Derry’s Michael McGeady opened with a rollercoaster 75 in the European Tour Qualifying School Finals at San Roque.
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Poor finish hurts O'Keeffe

Peter O’Keeffe was left with a bad taste in his mouth after two late bogeys led to a two over par 74 and took the gloss off a grinding opening round in the European Tour Qualifying School Finals at San Roque.
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Cavalry charge at Q School

It’s meant to be a torturously slow slog to finish inside the top 30, but the first round of the European Tour Qualifying School Finals looked more like a cavalry charge as 58 players in the 156-man field broke par at The San Roque Club.
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Uphill task for Irish

Colm Moriarty led the Irish charge for a coveted European Tour card in the gruelling Qualifying School Finals at San Roque.
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Moriarty starts well

Colm Moriarty got his Q-School marathon off to the perfect start with a two under par 70 at San Roque.
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McIlroy fades in Hong Kong

Rory McIlroy failed to take advantage of a sensational start to the UBS Hong Kong Open.
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Trio start well at Q School

Ireland's trio of PGA Tour hopefuls got off to sub-par starts in their bid to make the Q-School finals.
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Harrington fails to capitalise

Padraig Harrington fizzled out after starting with an amazing eagle two in his Dunlop Phoenix Tournament defence in Japan.
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O'Hagan on course

Peter O'Hagan is just outside the qualifying spots at the Champions Tour Q-School in Florida.
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Q-School grind starts at San Roque

It's golf's ultimate last chance saloon - a six-round, 108-hole shoot out around the Old and New Courses at The San Roque Club near Sotogrande with the jackpot a minimum of 30 golden tickets to the European Tour circus.
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O'Keeffe puts celebrations on hold

Peter O’Keeffe turns 26 tomorrow but the big-hitting Douglas man plans to put the celebrations on hold until next week, when he hopes he’ll have his European Tour card in his pocket.
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O'Keeffe to prove selectors wrong

Douglas man Peter O’Keeffe can pull off one of the most ironic success stories of the season in the dreaded European Tour Qualifying School Finals at San Roque.
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Coltart seeks Tour reprieve

Ryder Cup ace Andrew Coltart believes this week's Q-School agony could revive his career.
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Mooney has tour ambitions

Massive hitting Damian Mooney hopes to make a mockery of his Challenge Tour ranking at the Q-School.
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Moriarty wants big finale

Colm Moriarty wants to turn a good year into a great one by grabbing his European Tour card this week.
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McIlroy targets Ryder Cup

Rory McIlroy has revealed that he turned down TWO invites from Tiger Woods to concentrate on making the Ryder Cup team.
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O'Keeffe bids for tour card

Big chief Peter O’Keeffe is just six rounds away from matching Padraig Harrington and grabbing his European Tour card at the first attempt.
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Rory says "no" to Tiger

Hot property Rory McIlroy has turned down an invite to play for Tiger Woods in the US next year.
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Three Irish for PGA Tour Q School

Keith Nolan, Niall Turner and Mark Murphy will fly the flag at the PGA Tour Q-School this week.
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McIlroy can impress Faldo

Rory McIlroy can impress Ryder Cup skipper Nick Faldo in this week's Hong Kong Open.
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Harrington European No 1 again

Padraig Harrington regained his world No 7 spot thanks to his fifth place finish in the HSBC Champions
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Browne no kamikaze kid

Stephen Browne has vowed to control his Kamikaze Kid tendencies at the Qualifying School this week.
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O'Sullivan makes his million

Denis O'Sullivan broke the €1 million barrier in The Kingdom of Bahrain Trophy at the Buckinghamshire.
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McGeady makes finals

Mick McGeady kept his European Tour dream alive when he clinched his place in this week's Q-School finals.
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Mickelson wins after play-off

Padraig Harrington tied for fifth as Phil Mickelson survived a dramatic back-nine collapse to win the HSBC Champions in sudden-death.
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O'Keeffe on track at Q-School

Amateur Peter O'Keeffe is on track to make it to next week's European Tour Qualifying School Finals in Spain.
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Smyth kisses title goodbye

Des Smyth kissed the The Kingdom of Bahrain Trophy goodbye with a sloppy finish at the Buckinghamshire.
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Starlets get backing

Ireland's golfing starlets won't be left to make it on their own any more.
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Mickelson on the charge

Phil Mickelson took a giant step towards justifying his massive $1 million appearance fee at the HSBC Champions Tournament in Shanghai.
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Good year for Irish on EuroPro

It was another good year for the Irish on the PGA EuroPro Tour with three men claiming four victories between them. Athlone's Colm Moriarty finished fourth on the final rankings with two wins and three top tens from just six starts.
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Q-School for Browne and Moriarty

Stephen Browne and Colm Moriarty were forced to pack their bags for the Final Stage of the European Tour Qualifying School after both men missed out on the required top two finish at the Challenge Tour’s Apulia San Domeinco Grand Final in Italy.
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Gillen salvages card

Beaverstown's Martina Gillen retained her Ladies European Tour card when she finish tied fourth at the Qualifying School Finals at La Fonti in Italy.
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Smyth grinds out good season

Des Smyth will be the first to admit that he struggled with his swing for much of his fifth full season on the Champions Tour.
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O'Sullivan best in Kingdom

Denis O'Sullivan leads the Irish contingent after the first round of the Kingdom of Bahrain Trophy at The Buckinghamshire.
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O'Keeffe on fire in Spain

Amateur ace Peter O'Keeffe stormed into a share of second place at the Stage Two of the European Tour Q-School in Spain.
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Fast start for Harrington

Padraig Harrington cruised to an opening 68 but trails by four shots in the $5 million HSBC Champions Tournament in Shanghai.
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Mooney hits form at Q School

Damian Mooney got his Q-School quest off to a sensational start at Stage Two in Spain.
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Million euro Denis

Cork's Denis O’Sullivan will become the first Irishman to break the €1 million barrier in career earnings on the European Seniors Tour this week.
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Juggling act for Padraig

Padraig Harrington believes he must perform a circus-style juggling act to continue his rise to the top of world golf.
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Kaymer is top rookie

Germany's Martin Kaymer was named Rookie of the Year - less than 48 hours after a rules bust up with Padraig Harrington
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Irish avoid World Cup DQ

Michael Hoey and Gareth Maybin have avoided an Omega World Cup disqualification nightmare.
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Cullen back in business

Big Gary Cullen is bidding to complete an amazing comeback from injury in the Q-School this week.
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Tadhg back on the bag

Tadhg Harrington is all set for more Q-School torture this week - 12 years after helping brother Padraig through the toughest test in golf.
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McDowell 'fizzing' to get back

Graeme McDowell says he's "fizzing" with desire to get back to the top after his amazing Volvo Masters performance.
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Lesson for Harrington

Padraig Harrington kissed his Order of Merit crown goodbye and confessed: I've learnt a massive lesson.
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Clarke trails Cabrera

US Open champion Angel Cabrera held off Vijay Singh to win the Barclays Singapore Open by a shot.
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Nolan cruises into Stage Two

Bray's Keith Nolan cruised into the second stage of the PGA Tour Q-School in North Carolina.
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Harrington zoned out

Padraig Harrington surrendered his Order of Merit crown with a whimper after being blown out of the zone in a bizarre rules row at Valderrama.
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Albatross for McDowell

Graeme McDowell hit an amazing albatross two on the 563-yard 17th to share fourth place with Padraig Harrington at Valderrama.
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Rose comeback hits Harri

Padraig Harrington must go on the attack at Valderrama today to hang on to his Order of Merit crown.
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Rose caressing crown

Gutsy Justin Rose left Padraig Harrington with little room for manoeuvre in his bid to retain the Order of Merit after a brilliant comeback from a nightmare start in the Volvo Masters at Valderrama.
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Rose steals march on Harrington

Padraig Harrington got set for a weekend war with Justin Rose for the Order of Merit and roared: “It’s game on.”
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McGinley disgusted by putting

Paul McGinley was disgusted as a nightmare finish left him six shots behind a rampant Justin Rose at Valderrama.
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Nolan back at Q-School

Keith Nolan kept the bank manager at bay with his best season as a professional.
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Harrington tails Rose in Spain

Padraig Harrington clawed his way back from the brink of disaster to keep his Order of Merit hopes intact at windy Valderrama.
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McDowell leads Volvo again

Go-getter Graeme McDowell stormed into lead at the Volvo Masters for the second year on the trot.
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McGinley motoring again

Revved up Paul McGinley got his motoring running with a super 69 at vicious Valderrama - then set his sights on Ryder Cup points.
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Hopes fade for special K Club

Hopes of a last hurrah for the European Open at the K Club's Ryder Cup course have taken a nose-dive.
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Harrington has death wish

Padraig Harrington has a death wish at Valderrama.
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Monty lashes Els

Colin Montgomerie has lashed absentee Ernie Els for missing the Volvo Masters.
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