Michael Hoey regained his European Tour card with a sensational closing 67 in Spain and roared: I’m ready for it this time. Download results and qualified players

The Ulsterman, 29, finished eighth in the six-round marathon at PGA Golf de Catalunya when he hit an eagle, four birdies and just one bogey in the joint best round of the day to finish on 13-under par.

In the end, 32 players earned tour cards with Hoey’s fellow Ulsterman Jonny Caldwell coming through on the six-under par limit when he made a gutsy par four at the 18th for a 74. But there was agony for Derry’s Michael McGeady as he bogeyed the last to miss out on his tour card by a single shot after a final round 72. Read More...

Tags: European Tour Qualifying School, Michael Hoey, Jonny Caldwell, Michael McGeady, Simon Thornton, Oskar Henningsson, PGA Golf de Catalunya, Team Ireland

Jimmy Heggarty is tied for fifth place at the halfway stage of the European Seniors Tour Qualifying School in Portugal.

The Ulsterman added a level par 71 to his opening 69 to trail leader Greg Towne of the USA by six shots on two under par at Vale da Pinta, Pestana Golf Resort.

The top six players will get a ranking in Category 6 for 2009 and are guaranteed a start in all 72-player events for the season while those finishing seventh through to 14th will get a ranking in Category 9, giving them a limited number of starts. Read More...

Tags: European Seniors Tour, Jimmy Heggarty

Rory McIlroy can overtake Darren Clarke in the world rankings and take another step towards his US Masters dream in this week’s $2.5 million UBS Hong Kong Open.

The Holywood teenager, 19, jumped 17 places 63rd in the world thanks to his fourth place finish in the Barclays Singapore Open and is now just two places behind his mentor.

If he remains inside top 64 until February 23, McIlroy will tee it up in the Accenture Match Play Championship in Arizona. But he has his sights set on finishing the year inside the world’s top 50 and booking his ticket to Augusta National. Read More...

Tags: Rory McIlroy, Hong Kong Open, Darren Clarke, Graeme McDowell, Paul McGinley, Gareth Maybin, WGC - Accenture Match Play, The Masters

Jonny Caldwell is ready to battle through the mental pain barrier to secure his European Tour card in Spain. Live scoring

But like Michael Hoey and Mick McGeady, he knows he will have to dig deep to finish in the magical top 30 and ties after the final round of the European Tour Qualifying School.

Tied for 15th with Hoey after a 70, Caldwell got his fifth round off to a rip-roaring start when he birdied the first and then holed out from 108 yards for a spectacular eagle two at the second.
Read More...

Tags: European Tour Qualifying School, Jonny Caldwell, PGA Golf de Catalunya, Michael Hoey, Michael McGeady, Simon Thornton

Desperate Darren Clarke is planning a return to the belly putter in next month’s Australian Open.

The Ulsterman, 40, is furious over his lack of success on the greens and plans to spend the next fortnight experimenting with the long putters in the 200-strong collection in his garage.

He groaned: “I'm just fed up struggling with my putting and I'm fed up talking about how bad I'm putting so that's why I'm going to get the belly putter out of storage and give it another go.
Read More...

Tags: Darren Clarke, Australian Open, South African Open

The speed of golf greens came under scrutiny during the Q&A session at the recent Irish Links Initiative Conference at Newcastle in County Down.  It was said that “most golfers are influenced by television to request faster green speeds but few can handle them.” 
 
It was agreed that if the contours on the green are severe then fast greens become almost impossible to putt on but on the other hand if the greens are quite flat and slow then the ball will not respond to the various borrows.  Following a lot of debate it was put forward that the optimum level might be a reading of between 9 and 10 on the stimp metre. Read More...

Tags: GUI, Irish Links Initiative, Royal County Down

Mick McGeady surged ahead in his European Tour card quest and confessed: It’s easier than walking up the aisle. Live scoring

The Derry ace, 30, tied the knot with fiancée Lisa Brown less than a week before beginning his Qualifying School bid in Spain.

But after a level par 72 helped him cruise into the last two rounds of the 108-hole marathon, he’s determined to finish inside the magical top-30 who will earn their tour cards at PGA Golf de Catalunya on Tuesday night. Read More...

Tags: European Tour Qualifying School, Michael McGeady, Michael Hoey, Jonny Caldwell, Simon Thornton, PGA Golf de Catalunya

Padraig Harrington was left cursing his luck as Jeev Milkha Singh snatched a one-stroke victory in the US$5 million Barclays Singapore Open. Final scores and earnings

In contrast to his Majors wins at Royal Birkdale and Oakland Hills, the Dubliner made two crucial mistakes coming down the stretch and was forced to settle for second place alongside Ernie Els in his final event of 2008 with Rory McIlroy tied for fourth.

The Irishman, 37, can look back on an incredible season following his wins in the Open and the US PGA this summer and will be voted European Tour Player of the Year for the second year in a row at a function in London next month.
Read More...

Tags: Barclays Singapore Open, Padraig Harrington, Ernie Els, Jeev Milkha Singh, Rory McIlroy, Darren Clarke

Clandeboye's Jonny Caldwell continued his impressive start to the European Tour Qualifying School Finals at PGA Golf de Catalunya in Spain. Live scoring

The former Walker Cup start, 24, fired a two-under par 69 on the Red Course at the Girona venue to share eighth place at the half-way stage of the six-round marathon.

At eight-under par, Caldwell is nine strokes adrift of leader Oskar Henningsson of Sweden, who added a 65 to previous rounds of 66 and 68 to lead on 17-under par.
Read More...

Tags: European Tour Qualifying School, Jonny Caldwell, Michael McGeady, Michael Hoey, Simon Thornton, Oskar Henningsson

Padraig Harrington fired a five-under par 66 to storm into the clubhouse lead in the Barclays Singapore Open. Live scoring

The three-time Major winner had six birdies in a sensational third round effort, coming home in 31 to set the 54-hole target at four-under par.

Thailand's Chapchai Nirat holed a pitching wedge from 118 yards for an eagle at the par-four 11th to move to the top of the leaderboard on nine under par  and then parred the 12th before darkness brought the third round to an end.
Read More...

Tags: Barclays Singapore Open, Padraig Harrington, Rory McIlroy, Darren Clarke

Michael Hoey is relishing his stress-free start to the European Tour Qualifying School Finals in Spain. Live scoring

The six-round battle to finish in the top-30 and ties is widely regarded as one of the toughest weeks in golf.

But after adding a three-under 69 to his opening 68, Hoey is delighted to be tied for sixth place with compatriot Jonny Caldwell on six-under par.
Read More...

Tags: European Tour Qualifying School, Michael Hoey, Simon Thornton, Michael McGeady, Jonny Caldwell, PGA Golf de Catalunya, Oskar Henningsson

Rory McIlroy looks certain to join golf’s million euro club after scorching into contention for his maiden victory in the Barclays Singapore Open.

But the Holywood teenager, 19, is more interested in earning a priceless US Masters invite with a top finish in the weather-affected Asian Tour event.

Just two shots behind leaders Ernie Els and Simon Dyson on four-under par after a second round 68, McIlroy said: “It's a fantastic achievement and of course, it's a lot easier than it was a decade ago.
Read More...

Tags: Barclays Singapore Open, Rory McIlroy, Ernie Els, Simon Dyson, Padraig Harrington, Darren Clarke

Super cool Jonny Caldwell led the way as Ireland’s poker of aces made a scorching start in the European Tour Qualifying School Finals in Spain. Live scoring

Walker Cup ace Caldwell only joined the paid ranks when he guaranteed himself Challenge Tour status by coming through Stage Two of the Q-School last Saturday.

But he was totally relaxed on his pro debut as he hit five birdies in a magical eight-hole stretch to open with a fabulous, four-under par 67 in the 108-hole marathon near Girona.
Read More...

Tags: European Tour Qualifying School, Jonny Caldwell, Michael Hoey, Michael McGeady, Simon Thornton, PGA Golf de Catalunya, Oskar Henningsson

The R&A, the organiser of The Open Championship, and ESPN have reached an eight-year agreement that will place all four rounds of The Open Championship live on ESPN beginning in 2010, it was announced by George Bodenheimer, President, ESPN, Inc., and ABC Sports and Peter Dawson, Chief Executive of The R&A. 
 
The new pact will also provide broad and comprehensive rights for digital platforms; expanded television and digital media rights for ESPN International; and extensive same-day weekend highlights coverage on ABC. 
Read More...

Tags: The Open, Turnberry, Padraig Harrington, Peter Dawson, St Andrews

Teen tycoon Rory McIlroy can take his career earnings beyond one million euro in this week’s Barclays Singapore Open.

But the Holywood idol, 19, is more interested in points than prize money as he continues his meteoric rise up the world rankings.

Up more than 150 spots this year to 80th in the world, McIlroy wants to clinch his place in the exclusive top-50 club by leaving Major winners like Padraig Harrington, Ernie Els and Phil Mickelson trailing in his wake this week. Read More...

Tags: Rory McIlroy, Barclays Singapore Open, Darren Clarke, Padraig Harrington, Ernie Els, Phil Mickelson

Late starter Simon Thornton is just six rounds away from going from weekend hacker to European Tour star.

The Royal County Down based Yorkshireman, 31, only took up the game in his late teens but today finds himself battling with 155 other hopefuls for just 30 European Tour cards at the Qualifying School Finals in Spain.

It’s been an amazing journey for Thornton, who joined Royal County Down professional Kevan Whiston as an assistant 12 years ago and never looked back.
Read More...

Tags: European Tour Qualifying School, Simon Thornton, Michael Hoey, Michael McGeady, Jonny Caldwell

Keith Nolan’s PGA Tour dream has been put on ice by a painful hand injury.

The Bray man, 35, will undergo surgery for ligament damage to his left hand in Johnson City, Tennessee today.

And that means he will have to wait until next season to chase his PGA Tour card after being forced to skip this year’s PGA Tour Qualifying School.
Read More...

Tags: Keith Nolan, Nationwide Tour

Phil Mickelson reckons Padraig Harrington’s Major winning streak has been a huge boost for world golf.

But the sometimes gung-ho left-hander confessed before the $5 million Barclays Singapore Open that he wishes he could grind out the pars like patient Padraig.

Asked what he most admired about Harrington’s game, Mickelson said: “Padraig's strength is definitely his patience and he's strong in the way he's able to play holes patiently and play the golf course patiently. Read More...

Tags: Phil Mickelson, Padraig Harrington, Barclays Singapore Open

Padraig Harrington and Peter Lawrie plan to come out with all guns blazing in 2009.

The Dubliners got off to a solid start in the megabucks Race to Dubai when they tied for 11th place behind new world No 2 Sergio Garcia in the HSBC Champions in Shanghai.

But the former Irish amateur champions can’t wait to start their winter breaks so they can hit even higher notes in the New Year. Read More...

Tags: Peter Lawrie, Padraig Harrington

Paul McGinley failed to end his three-year victory drought in the Hassan II Trophy in Morocco.

The Dubliner, 41, was bidding to follow in the footsteps of Padraig Harrington, who lifted the jewel encrusted dagger awarded to the winner last year.

But he had to settle for a share of fourth place with Michael Hoey as world No 10 Ernie Els picked up his first win since he lifted the Honda Classic on the PGA Tour in March.
Read More...

Tags: Paul McGinley, Ernie Els, Michael Hoey, Hassan Trophy

Waterville’s David Higgins suffered an agonising Q-School KO after a seven-man shootout at Sherry Golf in Spain.

The Kerry ace was battling to join Stage Two qualifiers Simon Thornton and Jonathan Caldwell in the race for 30 cards in this week’s Qualifying School Finals near Barcelona.

But he paid dearly for an untidy closing 75, slipping from a comfortable share of sixth into a seven-way tie for the last of 19 qualifying spots on three under par.
Read More...

Tags: David Higgins, Gareth Shaw, John Kelly, Justin Kehoe, Alan Murray, Colm Moriarty, Shane Lowry, Eddie Barr, Noel Fox, Simon Thornton, Barrie Trainor, Mark Campbell, Mark Murphy, Jonny Caldwell, Peter O'Keeffe, Richard Kilpatrick, Mark Staunton, Danny Sugrue

Darren Clarke is targeting a return to the world’s top-50 with pre-Christmas ranking points bonanza.

The Ulsterman, 40, tees it up in the HSBC Champions in Shanghai ranked 62nd in the world and guaranteed starts in two of next season’s majors.

But with the Singapore, Australian and South African Opens to come, he plans to book his spot in the Masters and the US PGA by finishing the season back where he believes he belongs. Read More...

Tags: Darren Clarke, Peter Lawrie, Damien McGrane

Rory McIlroy came up short as Spain’s Pablo Larrazabal grabbed the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year Award.

Winner of the French Open, Larrazabal became the fourth Spaniard to receive the award following José Maria Olazábal in 1986, Sergio Garcia in 1999 and Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño in 2005. Read More...

Tags: Rory McIlroy, Rookie of the Year

Swinging shrink Mark Campbell needed a police escort to hospital the last time he went to the European Tour Qualifying School.

This time the highly qualified doctor of psychology, 28, is back to his best and physically and mentally ready for the torture of golf’s toughest test. Read More...

Tags: Mark Campbell, European Tour Qualifying School

Graeme McDowell believes he is ready to battle with the big boys for golf’s major titles - but first he wants to take on the world.

The Ulsterman, 29, grabbed a share of eighth place in the Volvo Masters to finish the season a career-high fifth in the Order of Merit.

Now he wants to prove he has stepped up to  a new level but contending for major honours and helping Paul McGinley to World Cup glory.
Read More...

Tags: Graeme McDowell

Padraig Harrington kissed the Order of Merit title goodbye but reflected on a magical double Major winning season at Valderrama.

The Dubliner finished 10 shots behind winner Soren Kjeldsen in the final edition of the Volvo Masters but was still beaming as Robert Karlsson became the first Swedish winner of the Harry Vardon Trophy.

Tied for 13th on two over after a closing 68, Harrington said: “In fairness to Robert he has played very well and very consistently all year.  He really deserves to win it. I would like to have done better the first day or any day but the game wasn’t quite there this week.
Read More...

Tags: Padraig Harrington, Volvo Masters, Soren Kjeldsen

It was more like Valhalla than Valderrama as Scandinavian heroes Soren Kjeldsen and Robert Karlsson celebrated their moments of glory with sighs of relief rather than throaty roars.

While the diminutive Dane Kjeldsen avenged last season’s play-off defeat by clinching an impressive two-stroke victory in the weather-ravaged final edition of the Volvo Masters, Karlsson rounded off a season of incredible consistency when he became the first Swede to lift the coveted Harry Vardon Trophy. Read More...

Tags: Soren Kjeldsen, Volvo Masters, Robert Karlsson, Padraig Harrington, Graeme McDowell, Darren Clarke, Damien McGrane, Peter Lawrie, Rory McIlroy

Padraig Harrington ripped into European Tour officials last night as the Volvo Masters was washed out for the second day in a row at soggy Valderrama,

The Dubliner was upset that the Tour decided to delay the start of the third round until the entire field had finished the weather-delayed second round.

Ready to play again at 10 am after completing a second round 71, Harrington was forced to wait more than four hours before he could begin his third round at 2.10 pm - 11 shots behind Soren Kjeldsen on five-over par. Read More...

Tags: Padraig Harrington, Volvo Masters

Padraig Harrington was fuming after a combination of bad luck, bad weather and dubious decision making left his Order of Merit hopes hanging by a thread at the Volvo Masters.

The reigning Open and US PGA champion needs to finish first or second in the final edition of the prestigious season-ending event to lift the Harry Vardon Trophy for the second time.

Already hampered by a nightmare 76 in the first round, he was hit by the worst of the weather on Friday, delayed by four hours before he could start his third round yesterday and eventually stopped in his tracks by torrential rain as he attempted a trademark charge up the leaderboard.
Read More...

Tags: Padraig Harrington, Volvo Masters

Miguel Angel Jiménez was fuming at Valderrama yesterday and all without the benefit of his trademark Cuban cigar.

Less than four hours play were possible before torrential rain flooded greens and bunkers, forcing the suspension of the second round of the season-ending Volvo Masters with the ten leading players in the tournament yet to tee off.

After opening with a two-over par 73, Jiménez set off in the worst ravages of the rainstorm and by the time play was suspended just after three o’clock in the afternoon, his hopes of winning the tournament and the Order of Merit were dashed when he played the first four holes in seven over par to balloon to nine over for the tournament before he was put out of his misery by the claxon announcing the suspension of play.
Read More...

Tags: Miguel Angel Jimenez, Volvo Masters

The magic touch that has defined Padraig Harrington’s double Major winning season deserted him so utterly at windy Valderrama yesterday that the Dubliner will now require a feat of escapology worthy of Houdini if he is to lift the Harry Vardon Trophy for the second time.

On a day when the 57-man field averaged 73.65 strokes in the first round of the Volvo Masters, Harrington tellingly failed to make even one birdie for the first time this season, opening with a five-over par 76 that left him 11 strokes behind Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen and a lowly 43rd in a tournament where he must finish first or second to deny Sweden’s Robert Karlsson (73) the Order of Merit title.

It was Harrington’s worst effort since he carded a six-over par 77 in the third round of the US Open at Torrey Pines in June and while he was his usual, defiant self afterwards, his opening gambit has severely dented his chances of winning the money title for the second time in three years.
Read More...

Tags: Padraig Harrington, Volvo Masters, Lee Westwood, Robert Karlsson

Robert Karlsson is running scared at Valderrama - from Padraig Harrington’s missus.

The Order of Merit leader knows that triple Major winner Harrington can snatch the money title from his grasp in the final edition of the Volvo Masters.

But the giant Swede is even more worried about being jinxed by his pal Harrington’s ever-present wife Caroline.
Read More...

Tags: Robert Karlsson, Padraig Harrington, Volvo Masters, Caroline Harrington

Padraig Harrington claims that he will not be greatly perturbed if he fails to apply the finishing touch to his incredible season by winning the Order of Merit for the second time at Valderrama this week, writes Brian Keogh at Valderrama.

But the truth is that the Dubliner would love to emulate the great Christy O’Connor Snr, winner of the Harry Vardon Trophy in 1961 and 1962, by raising that coveted piece of silverware for the second time in three years in the final edition of the Volvo Masters at the storied Spanish track on Sunday night. Read More...

Tags: Padraig Harrington, Volvo Masters, Christy O'Connor Snr, Lee Westwood, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Robert Karlsson

Rory McIlroy is bursting with confidence as he guns for major money at Valderrama this week.

The Holywood teenager, 19, tees it up in his first Volvo Masters knowing that a top-three finish will secure his place in two of next year’s Majors and the WGC-CA Championship in Miami.

And he feels that he has the game to pull it off after grabbing his fourth top ten from his last five starts in Castellon last week.

Ranked 35th in the Order of Merit, McIlroy said: “It has been a great last couple of months. I have played really nicely and I will try and keep that up.
Read More...

Tags: Rory McIlroy, Volvo Masters, Padraig Harrington

Glory hunter Padraig Harrington insists that money means nothing as he goes all out for his second Order of Merit title.

The Dubliner will claim the Harry Vardon Trophy if he wins the final edition of the €4.25m Volvo Masters at vicious Valderrama.

And while he’s earned close to €30 million (euro) in his career and turned down megabucks contracts from Nike and Callaway to stick with Wilson, titles are all that matter to Ireland’s triple major winner.
Read More...

Tags: Padraig Harrington, Volvo Masters, Harry Vardon Trophy

Money might be the barometer of success in the modern game but Padraig Harrington will be focussing on the history books rather than the size of his bank balance when he tees it up in the 21st and final edition of the Volvo Masters at Valderrama tomorrow. writes Brian Keogh.

Trailing leader Robert Karlsson by €297,425 in the race for the Harry Vardon Trophy with Lee Westwood and Miguel Angel Jimenez still in the running, Harrington wants to mark the end of an era on the European Tour by winning the season-ending finale amongst the cork oaks.

But as the Order of Merit and the Volvo Masters are replaced by the $10 million Race to Dubai, Harrington expressed his hope that the European Tour may yet find a way of honouring Seve Ballesteros’ contribution to making the tour what it is today.
Read More...

Tags: Padraig Harrington, Volvo Masters, Order of Merit, Robert Karlsson, Seve Ballesteros, Harry Vardon Trophy

Rory McIlroy has taken some pretty big strides in his first full season on the European Tour and if things go to plan at Valderrama he will be stepping out in many of next year’s major events in a natty pair of black suede shoes.

The 19-year-old from Holywood in Co Down has earned €666,835 so far this season and if he can clinch a top-three finish in the Volvo Masters, he will have done enough to don the flashy new range of spikes he has ordered for the 2009 campaign in the Open Championship, the US Open and two of golf’s lucrative World Golf Championship events.
Read More...

Tags: Rory McIlroy, Volvo Masters, Footjoy, World Golf Championships, Omega European Masters

Gareth Maybin added his name to Ireland’s ever-growing list of European Tour professionals by securing his Tour card at the European Challenge Tour’s Apulia San Domenico Grand Final.
 
The Belfast 28 year old cemented a fine season on the Challenge Tour by finishing in the top 20 at the stunning San Domenico Golf to end the season in fourth place on the final Rankings to comfortably take one of the 20 European Tour cards on offer.
 
Maybin’s breakthrough professional win at the Qingdao Golf Open in China last month heralded his coming of age and was the victory he needed to win his place in the inaugural Race to Dubai on The 2009 European Tour.
Read More...

Tags: Gareth Maybin, Michael Hoey, Michael McGeady, Challenge Tour

By Brian Keogh (published on 11 October, 2005)

Seve Ballesteros has pulled off the impossible hundreds of time in his career. Now he’s determined to create another bit of history and snatch Des Smyth’s record by becoming the oldest winner in the history of the European Tour.

Few believe the Spanish maestro, 48, will ever regain even a glimmer of the form that brought him five majors and 72 tournament victories worldwide.

But he remains convinced that he can lift a European Tour trophy once more - even if nobody else does. Read More...

Tags: Seve Ballesteros

Padraig Harrington became golf’s $10 million man when he dismissed massive rival offers and signed a new deal with club sponsors Wilson Golf.

Ireland’s triple Major champion doubled his money when he closed what is believed to be a three-year deal with the global sporting goods brand at Dublin Castle yesterday.

Determined not to break his magic winning formula by putting money ahead of performance, Harrington said: “Obviously, I’m thrilled to sign for Wilson again. I’ve been with them for 10 years and in that time they as a company have improved and my golf certainly has gone forward.

“I was in a very good negotiating position, having won three Majors. I am very happy, which is a good sign. There was competition and figures that were large as well but at the end of the day, a lot of other things come into consideration. Read More...

Tags: Padraig Harrington, Wilson Golf

Darren Clarke believes the Irish Open will go ahead next year - and it could be set for the Posh and Becks treatment by JP McManus.

The early indications are that luxurious Luttrellstown Castle - owned by a consortium of Irish millionaires led by racing tycoon McManus - is available to host the ailing event from 14-17 May.

The five star Dublin venue, where David and Victoria Beckham married in 1999, was bought for an estimated €200 million by the Sloane Capital property group led by McManus, John Magnier and Limerick property mogul Aidan Brooks two years ago.
Read More...

Tags: Darren Clarke, Irish Open, Lee Westwood

Rory McIlroy has become the youngest member of the world's top 100.

The Holywood teenager, 19, jumped 11 places to 91st in the latest World Rankings thanks to his fifth top-10 finish of the season in Portugal.

Still seeking his first tour win, McIlroy will make the world's top 50 and earn a place in all next year's Majors if he wins before the end of the year.
Read More...

Tags: Rory McIlroy, Official World Golf Ranking

Padraig Harrington could be battling four rivals for the Order of Merit title in next week’s Volvo Masters

Trailing Robert Karlsson by €297,425, the Dubliner must finish first or second at Valderrama and hope that the Swede finishes outside the top five.

But Harrington could also be fighting off challenges from Lee Westwood, Miguel Angel Jimenez and Henrik Stenson. Read More...

Tags: Padraig Harrington, Henrik Stenson, Robert Karlsson, Lee Westwood, Miguel Angel Jimenez

Robert Karlsson extended his advantage over Padraig Harrington at the top of the European Tour to almost €300,000 despite a disappointing finish at the Portugal Masters in Vilamoura.

Karlsson had to settle for a share of third place after failing to catch Spain's Alvaro Quiros.

The 25-year-old from Cadiz pocketed the €500,000 winner's cheque — the largest of his career — after a final-round 68 for a 19-under-par total.

European money list leader Karlsson, who had begun the final round only a shot behind the Spaniard, now leads Harrington by €297,158. Read More...

Tags: Robert Karlsson, Padraig Harrington, Volvo Masters, Portugal Masters, Order of Merit, Harry Vardon Trophy

Ireland finished a disappointing 22nd as Scotland romped to a shock nine-stroke win at the World Amateur Team Championships in Australia.

The trio of Jonny Caldwell, Paul Cutler and Shane Lowry were hoping to complete an amazing treble in Adelaide after wins this season in the Home Internationals and the European Team Championships.

But instead it was the Scots Wallace Booth, Callum Macaulay and Gavin Dear who pulled off a unique double by lifting the Eisenhower Trophy for the first time - less than a year after Colin Montgomerie and Marc Warren won Scotland's first World Cup. Read More...

Tags: Eisenhower Trophy, Shane Lowry, Paul Cutler, Jonny Caldwell

Ireland shot up the leaderboard but fell further off the pace at the halfway stage of the World Amateur Team Championship in Adelaide.

Clandeboye's Jonny Caldwell shot three under par 70 and Portstewart's Paul Culter a 72 at Royal Adelaide to move the side up ten places to tied 15th with Japan on one-under par.

But that still left the trio led by non-playing skipper Mick Burns a massive 16 shots behind co-leaders Scotland and the United States.
Read More...

Tags: Shane Lowry, Jonny Caldwell, Paul Cutler, Eisenhower Trophy

Ireland's bid for the World Amateur Team title suffered a serious reverse in Adelaide.

Mick Burns' three man squad of Shane Lowry, Johnny Caldwell and Paul Cutler finished the opening day a massive 13 shots behind the United States in a tie for 25th on three-over par.
Read More...

Tags: Amateur Golf, Eisenhower Trophy, Shane Lowry, Paul Cutler, Jonny Caldwell

Padraig Harrington took another PGA Grand Slam reverse on the chin and confessed - I’d rather be lucky in Majors.

Beaten in a play-off for the second year running when Jim Furyk eagled the first extra hole in Bermuda, the Dubliner consoled himself by reflecting on his double Major winning season.

Asked what he’d take from the week, Harrington said: “I take from this the fact that I won two majors in the middle of the summer.  And if I was to get the right break at the right time, I would rather keep it for those events than this week.
Read More...

Tags: Padraig Harrington, PGA Grand Slam of Golf, Jim Furyk

Shane Lowry will spearhead Ireland's bid for an amazing amateur golfing hat-trick at the Eisenhower Trophy.

The world No 7 will team up with Clandeboye's Jonny Caldwell and Portstewart’s Paul Cutler in the Men's World Amateur Team Championship in Adelaide today. Read More...

Tags: Eisenhower Trophy, Paul Cutler, Shane Lowry, Jonny Caldwell

Padraig Harrington matched Nick Faldo by becoming just the second European to win the prestigious PGA Player of the Year Award.

And he confessed that his incredible run in Majors over the past two seasons has come as a massive surprise.

Harrington said: “To win two Majors in the middle of the summer, back-to-back, it would be an understatement to say it was a bonus. I couldn't have imagined doing it, three majors in the last 15 months.

“If you told me I was going to win and I could go on and win more majors, but to do it so quickly and to do it so close together, to take the opportunity when I got them, that's very special for me. Read More...

Tags: Padraig Harrington, PGA Grand Slam of Golf

Darren Clarke is heading “Down Under” so he can get back on top in 2009.

The Ulsterman, 40, will return to Australia for the first time in 11 years when he tees it up in the Australian Open at Royal Sydney from December 11-14.

It’s all part of a hectic, end-of-season schedule designed to catapult him into the world’s top 50 by Christmas and into all of next year’s Majors. Read More...

Tags: Darren Clarke, Australian Open

Padraig Harrington headed into last night’s PGA Grand Slam of Golf with one eye on next year’s Masters title.

Ireland’s three-time Major winner was on the trail of a pink jacket awarded to the winner in Bermuda, where he took on Trevor Immelman, Retief Goosen and Jim Furyk in the first round of a 36-hole challenge.

But Harrington, 37, confessed that he is already dreaming of victory at Augusta and completing the third leg of the Paddy Slam by pulling on the famous green jacket next April.
Read More...

Tags: Padraig Harrington, Majors, The Masters

Padraig Harrington will play the Jolly Green Giant this week as iceman Robert Karlsson bids to leave him out in the cold in the Order of Merit race.

The reigning Open and US PGA champ will tee it up in the PGA Grand Slam of Golf  in Bermuda today on what he has described as a "two-day jolly."

But while Harrington is busy picking up a guaranteed €130,000 in the Grand Slam exhibition match, 6 foot 5 giant Karlsson will be trying to complete a hat-trick of European Tour wins in the Portugal Masters that that could put him €642,425 ahead of the Dubliner and make him odds on to lift the money title for the first time.
Read More...

Tags: Padraig Harrington, Order of Merit

Darren Clarke has confessed that he must learn to win ugly like Padraig Harrington if he is to become a world force again.

The Ulsterman, 40, has no problem admitting that he is too much a perfectionist and lacks the mental strength of triple Major winner Harrington.

But he reckons he’s now far less likely to see red on the golf course and believes his new-found patience will pay dividends as he battles his way back to the top of the game.
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Tags: Darren Clarke, Padraig Harrington, Paul McGinley

Twins sensations Lisa and Leona Maguire have been name in the Great Britain & Ireland preliminary squad for the next year's Vagliano Trophy matches.

The Ballyconnell prodigies, who turn 14 on November 30, are joined in the 26-strong squad by Irish team mates Danielle McVeigh, Tara Delaney and Niamh Kitching.
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Tags: Lisa Maguire, Leona Maguire, Vagliano Trophy, Mary McKenna

Padraig Harrington has ruled out a last gasp dash to Portugal to shadow Robert Karlsson in the Order of Merit title race.

The Dubliner, 37, was knocked off top spot in the money list on Sunday when his Ryder Cup team mate snatched the Dunhill Links title in sudden-death.

But while he’s now €142,425 behind Karlsson in the race for the Harry Vardon Trophy, he won’t be joining the beanpole Swede or third ranked Lee Westwood in next week’s Portugal Masters at Vilamoura. Read More...

Tags: Padraig Harrington, Portugal Masters, PGA Grand Slam of Golf

The Irish Open looks set to plummet into oblivion after European Tour bosses took away the event’s financial safety net this week.

Adare Manor boss Tom Kane has lost a massive €2.9 million since he took the plunge and signed a three-year deal to host The Irish Open at the Limerick venue two years ago.

But the former US fighter pilot cannot take another financial hit and has been released from his commitment by the Tour, leaving the event without a home or sponsors.

After underwriting an estimated €10 million in losses over the past six years, European Tour boss George O’Grady  won't be left "holding the financial baby" and warned that the Irish Open must now pay its own way or face the consequences.
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Tags: Irish Open, Tom Kane, Adare Manor

Triple major winner Padraig Harrington wants to become the first man to win the Race to Dubai and earn a possible 4 million pay-day

The Race to Dubai will feature a record 53 events in 26 countries as players battle for possible $5.6m (euro 4m) pay-off at the end of 2009.

And Harrington will be making a special effort to become the inaugural winner and add another trophy to his mantelpiece.

Now trailing Dunhill Links winner Robert Karlsson in this year's Order of Merit race, Harrington said: "I know many of the pros, including myself are looking at our schedules to give ourselves the best chance of going out there and winning that.
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Tags: Padraig Harrington, Race to Dubai

Holywood hotshot Rory McIlroy has set his sight on Open glory at St Andrews in 2010.

The Ulster teenager, 19, believes he has a great chance of lifting the Claret Jug at the Home of Golf after finishing eighth in the Dunhill Links Championship on Sunday.

Up to 102nd in the world -  a rise of 130 places so far this year - he can't wait for the Open to return to St Andrews in 2010. Read More...

Tags: Rory McIlroy, Majors, The Open, St Andrews

Teenager Rory McIlroy will take inspiration from double Open champion Padraig Harrington as he attempts to win his first European Tour title in the Dunhill Links Championship.

McIlroy looked set to break his duck in the Omega European Masters at the start of last month, taking a four-shot lead into the final round only to eventually lose out to Jean-Francois Lucquin in a play-off.

But the 19-year-old from Northern Ireland is on course to have another chance this weekend after a hugely impressive second round of 69 at Carnoustie - where he finished leading amateur in the Open last year - left him just one shot off the lead.
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Tags: Alfred Dunhill Links, Rory McIlroy, Padraig Harrington

Padraig Harrington produced a brilliant finish to rescue his hopes of a third Dunhill Links Championship and his second Order of Merit title.


He was level par after 12 holes, good enough only for a share of 90th place but then birdied five of his last six holes to card a five-under-par 67, three off the lead held by Ryder Cup team-mate Soren Hansen and England's Ross Fisher. Read More...

Tags: Alfred Dunhill Links, Padraig Harrington, Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell, Paul McGinley, Darren Clarke, Gary Murphy, Damien McGrane

Manchester United mad Rory McIlroy will partner football legend Sir Bobby Charlton in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

And while Ulster teenager wasn’t born until 16 years after Charlton’s last game at Old Trafford, he’s learnt enough in his first year as a professional to become a Bobby dazzler this week.

The Holywood hotshot, 19, hit headlines around the world last term when he finished third at St Andrews to secure his tour card in just his second start as a pro.

Now McIlroy looks ready to go one better than his play-off defeat in last month’s European Masters and he can’t wait to lift that maiden title.
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Tags: Alfred Dunhill Links, Rory McIlroy

"Big Easy" Ernie Els has urged Padraig Harrington to sit down and enjoy his incredible Major run.

Harrington admits that he is finding it difficult to get his head around the fact that he has won three Majors in just over a year.

But Els - a three time Major winner himself - reckons the Dubliner should savour his hot streak while the going's good.

Sidelined in 2005 due to knee surgery and without a Major win since 2002, Els said: "Padraig he's on a great streak now and he's having a great time in his life and he's got things going his way. Read More...

Tags: Alfred Dunhill Links, Ernie Els, Padraig Harrington

JP Manus handed over £1,000 to charity as Padraig Harrington ducked an embarrassing equipment clash at St Andrews.

McManus and Harrington were standing on the 18th tee at the Home of Golf when they were confronted with a Callaway long-driving competition designed to help raise funds for an Ernie Els sponsored autism program. Read More...

Tags: JP McManus, Alfred Dunhill Links, Padraig Harrington, Callaway, Wilson Golf

Padraig Harrington is determined to become golf's equivalent of Count Dracula in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and suck the blood out of the Order of Merit title race.

The Open and US PGA champion has had blood tests that confirm that he is physically on the limit after his double Major winning season.

But despite his fatigue and the fact that England's Lee Westwood is breathing down his neck in the race for the European money title, Harrington reckons he can still kill off the opposition at St Andrews, Kingsbarns and Carnoustie before the season-ending Volvo Masters at Valderrama.
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Tags: Padraig Harrington, Alfred Dunhill Links, Carnoustie

Padraig Harrington and Michael Hoey are bracing themselves for an end of season treasure hunt at opposite ends of the European Tour food chain.

Dubliner Harrington will tee it up in this €3.5 million Alfred Dunhill Links in Scotland bidding to land the title for the third time and kill off rivals in the race for the Order of Merit crown.

Just €228,317 ahead of Ryder Cup team mate Lee Westwood, Harrington will tee up with JP McManus in the pro-celebrity event knowing that victory would make him virtually uncatchable ahead of the season-ending Volvo Masters at Valderrama.

But Hoey will be battling at the other end of the scale as he fights to make the top 20 in the Challenge Tour rankings who will earn tour cards at the end of the season.
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Tags: Padraig Harrington, Michael Hoey, Gareth Maybin, Alfred Dunhill Links, Challenge Tour, Harry Vardon Trophy

Des Smyth is hoping for an American Dream finish his megabucks Champions Tour career.

The Drogheda ace, 55, plans to round off his six-year stint on the US Seniors circuit by rediscovering the form that has helped him win over $4 million.

Barring a miraculous series of results, the eight time European Tour winner will say goodbye to his Champions Tour exemption and switch to the European Seniors Tour next season.

But he has no plans to go quietly and hopes to rediscover his magic touch as he heads Stateside next week to play the last three events of the US season. Read More...

Tags: Champions Tour, Des Smyth

Des Smyth had to settle for third place as England’s Peter Mitchell withstood a strong challenge from Scotland’s Sam Torrance to win his second European Seniors Tour title of the season at the Scottish Seniors Open over the East course at the Marriott Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club near Edinburgh.
 
Mitchell, who won his maiden Seniors Tour title at the Ryder Cup Wales Seniors Open earlier this summer, started the day two shots in front of Torrance but found himself one behind the former Ryder Cup captain at the turn before carding three birdies over the next four holes to open a lead he was never to relinquish.
 
In the end, a three-time European Tour winner from Kent, who carded 12 birdies over his closing 36 holes, posted a nine under par 54-hole aggregate of 207, two shots ahead of Torrance and three in front of first round leader Smyth who slipped to a closing 71.
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Tags: European Seniors Tour, Des Smyth, Sam Torrance, Eamonn Darcy, Denis O'Sullivan, Jimmy Heggarty, Eddie Polland

Northern Ireland’s Michael Hoey had to endure a day of frustration as he was overtaken at the top of the leaderboard at the Dutch Fututres presented by Royal Bank of Scotland, eventually finishing in a tie for sixth place.
 
The Belfast 29 year old had carved out a one-stroke lead going into the final round of the European Challenge Tour event at the Golf club Houtrak in Holland, but he could do nothing to stop the irresistible duo of Denmark’s Jeppe Huldahl and Holland’s Taco Remkes.
 
Respective final round scores of 65 and 66 left Huldahl and Remkes tied on  13 under par 265 aggregates before the Dutchman delighted his home crowd by producing a birdie four at the first extra play-off hole to secure his second victory of the season. Read More...

Tags: Challenge Tour, Michael Hoey

England’s Peter Mitchell edged one step closer to winning his second European Seniors Tour title when he carded a fine five under par 67 to move into a slender one shot lead after the second round of the Scottish Seniors Open over the East course at Marriott Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club near Edinburgh.
 
The 50 year old Seniors rookie from Kent, who won the Ryder Cup Wales Seniors Open on just his second Seniors Tour start in June, goes into the final round on six under par 138 and with a single shot advantage over Ireland’s Des Smyth who carded six birdies but also dropped five shots in an adventurous one under par 71.
 
Scotland’s Sam Torrance returned a three under par 69 to share third place with America’s Jerry Bruner and Spain’s Domingo Hospital on four under par 140 while two other Scots, Ross Drummond and Bill Longmuir are tied for sixth place with England’s Andrew Murray, Italy’s Costantino Rocca, New Zealand’s Simon Owen and Ireland’s Eamonn Darcy one shot further back. Read More...

Tags: European Seniors Tour, Des Smyth

Northern Ireland’s Michael Hoey will take a one stroke lead into the final round of the European Challenge Tour’s Dutch Futures presented by Royal Bank of Scotland.
 
The Belfast 29 year old carded an excellent third round of four under par 68 at the Golf Club Houtrak on the outskirts of Amsterdam for a three round aggregate of ten under par 206 and lead England’s Chris Gane by a stroke.
 
Hoey, already a winner on the Challenge Tour this in Morocco, is looking for the victory that would put him within touching distance of a return to The European Tour next season.
 
“I am playing a lot more freely at the moment,” said Hoey. “Things have been getting a bit over-technical this year but I am starting to accept my poor shots straight away and staying relaxed. The putter has been a lot hotter this week as well and you need to make putts to succeed at this level.” Read More...

Tags: Challenge Tour, Michael Hoey

A sensational albatross two gave Northern Ireland's Michael Hoey's second round at the European Challenge Tour's Dutch Futures a lethal injection of adrenaline to propel the Belfast man into second place on the clubhouse leaderboard. Hoey, level par after seven holes, hit a great drive down the par five eighth fairway before producing a perfect six iron that landed softly and rolled straight into the cup. That took Hoey to three under for his round, a score he managed to maintain until the end of the day, giving him a second consecutive 69 and a halfway total of six under 138 – one stroke behind England's Chris Gane and the Australian Andrew Tampion. Read More...

Tags: Michael Hoey, Challenge Tour, Colm Moriarty, Peter O'Keeffe

Ireland’s Des Smyth saw his son Greg win €9.42 million in a recent Irish National Lottery and now he has a great chance to claim a €43,000 windfall of his own after carding a four under par 68 to open a one shot lead after the first round of Scottish Seniors Open over the East course at the Marriott Hotel & Country Club near Edinburgh.
The 55 year old from Drogheda in Co. Louth produced three birdies and a sensational eagle three on the 500-yard tenth to go into the second round one shot ahead of Spain’s Domingo Hospital and two in front on an international quintet comprising Scotland’s Bill Longmuir, Chile’s Angel Fernandez, Italy’s Costantino Rocca and America’s Jerry Bruner and Bob Boyd. Read More...

Tags: European Seniors Tour, Des Smyth

Rory McIlroy has forked out 50 euro to take on Tiger Woods - in the world No 1’s new video game. Read More...

Tags: Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods

Nick Faldo is not to blame for Europe's biggest Ryder Cup defeat for 24 years.
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Tags: Padraig Harrington, Graeme McDowell, Ryder Cup, Nick Faldo

Frustrated Padraig Harrington says he can’t wait for the season to end after another Ryder Cup flop.
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Tags: Padraig Harrington, Ryder Cup

Graeme McDowell is shooting for Major glory after a brilliant Ryder Cup performance convinced him he can take his game to a new level. Read More...

Tags: Ryder Cup,