Irish Golf Desk

Golf news and features

Irish Golf Desk - Irish Golf News
© Brian Keogh 2008
Site last published: 10/06/08

Ballyliffin launches joint bid for the Irish Open

The stunning Old Links at Ballyliffin will host the Irish Seniors Open later this month but if the energetic membership that has turned the remote Donegal links into an internationally renowned golfing destination has its way, the club’s muscular Glashedy Links will stage The Irish Open as part of an innovative cross-border deal with Royal Portrush from 2011. Read More...

Ballyliffin and Portrush seek Irish Open

The future of the Irish Open lies on the links land of Ulster with Donegal gem Ballyliffin announcing a joint bid to host the event in conjunction with Royal Portrush from 2010. Read More...

Cross border bid for Irish Open

The hardy members of Ballyliffin in remote Donegal are set to dig the Irish Open out of a massive hole. Read More...

Big splash as Finch wins Irish Open

England’s Richard Finch made a big splash with a two-stroke Irish Open win at Adare Manor and confessed: It hasn’t sunk in yet. Read More...

Harrington off his greens at Adare

Padraig Harrington confessed that he went completely off his greens in his worst Irish Open performance for five years. Read More...

McIlroy fills his boots

Rory McIlroy filled his boots after a closing 70 gave him his first top-ten finish of the season. Read More...

How the Irish fared: Round four

Gary Murphy was the leading Irishman for the second time since Portmarnock in 2003 thanks to a superb final round 69.
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Irish Open nightmare for Clarke

Darren Clarke’s Irish Open dreams were smashed by a nightmare triple bogey eight as Bradley Dredge got his revenge on Adare Manor’s treacherous 18th. Read More...

Clarke suffers 18th hole nightmare

Darren Clarke’s Irish Open hopes suffered a crushing reverse when he racked up a nightmare triple bogey eight on Adare Manor’s treacherous par-five 18th to fall six behind leader Bradley Dredge. Read More...

Westwood on fire at Adare

Lee Westwood is threatening to take pal Padraig Harrington to the cleaners after a sensational eight-under par 64 sent him scorching up the leaderboard at Adare Manor. Read More...

How the Irish fared: Round two

Just six of the 21 Irish challengers made the three over par cut. Read More...

McIlroy to light up Adare

Cool kid Rory McIlroy is ready to set the Irish Open alight with a weekend title charge at Adare Manor. Read More...

Cocktail hour cock-up annoys McGinley

Paul McGinley is blaming the demon drink for the course design cock-up that’s turned Adare Manor into a monster. Read More...

McGinley and Clarke slam Adare Manor monster

Paul McGinley slammed Adare Manor as a monster - but it didn’t frighten Peter Lawrie. Read More...

McIlroy sparkles in the sun

Rory McIlroy produced some ball-striking sparkle to lead the Irish charge at sun-splashed Adare Manor. Read More...

How the Irish fared: First round

Ireland has 21 players in the field but only Rory McIlroy and Peter Lawrie managed to beat par on a perfect day at Adare Manor.
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Harrington insists he's still alive

Defending champion Padraig Harrington crashed six shots off the pace at Adare Manor but insisted: I’m not out of it. Read More...

Harrington feeling better than ever

Home hero Padraig Harrington has sent a grim "hands off" message to his Irish Open rivals. Read More...

Clarke targets sixth Ryder Cup

Darren Clarke reckons Padraig Harrington launched Ireland's amazing tournament winning streak. Read More...

McGinley ready for blast off

Paul McGinley reckons he’s ready to blast his way back into the winner’s circle after his worst season for 15 years. Read More...

McGrane not fazed by fame

“Little Mac” Damien McGrane says his new found fame won’t change him as a golfer. Read More...

McGinley warns of US Open pain

Paul McGinley reckons next month's US Open at Torrey Pines will be the toughest ever. Read More...

Rangers fans rent Clarke's jet

Rangers fans Alastair Forsyth and Marc Warren jetted off to Manchester for last night's UEFA Cup final - in Darren Clarke's plane. Read More...

Dredge learning from Harrington

Bradley Dredge jokes that Padraig Harrington still owes him a cut of his €1.1 million Open Championship windfall.
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Kick in the backside works for Rory

New boy Rory McIlroy is hoping that a “kick up the backside” will catapult him to the top of the European Tour class. Read More...

O'Keeffe to give coach a boost

Big-hearted Peter O’Keeffe wants to give his seriously injured coach a boost with a top show at Adare Manor. Read More...

Harrington shafted by putter

Padraig Harrington has given a new-fangled putter shaft the boot for his Irish Open defence. Read More...

Cash bonus for Peter Lawrie

Peter Lawrie banked a massive €30,000 bonus from sponsors Arachas for winning the Spanish Open. Read More...

Ulster move for Irish Open

The Irish Open could be heading to Ulster in 2010 - and Graeme McDowell is over the moon. Read More...

Irish Open tee-times

The Irish Open - Tee-times Read More...

Lavelle sets up Irish Open double

Big-hitting cabinet-maker Michael Lavelle faces a 1,500 mile dash from Malta to Royal Dublin for his amateur swansong this week. Read More...

Promoting Irish golf - the Failte Ireland way

According to a report by Deloitte & Touche, the Irish economy benefitted to the tune of €143 million from the 2006 Ryder Cup at The K Club but less than two years on, Ireland is facing massive new challenges in the battle to attract overseas golfers to these shores.

The weak dollar and the perception that golf in Ireland is expensive has sent visitor numbers tumbling at an alarming rate. The forecast for 2009 is that we will continue to struggle and with that kind of scenario, there has been much burning of midnight oil at Fáilte Ireland to come up with a plan to get back on track again.
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Tough times ahead for the Irish Open

Padraig Harrington’s defence his Irish Open title could be his last as the historic event teeters on the brink of crisis once more.
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Irish Open pressure key to Claret Jug

Padraig Harrington reckons his Irish Open win at Adare Manor helped him lift his first Major at Carnoustie.
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McDowell eyes Irish Open success

As the first Irish winner on The 2008 European Tour International Schedule, Graeme McDowell is eyeing this year’s Irish Open with a keen sense of anticipation and renewed feeling of confidence. Read More...

Irish Open call by Harrington

Padraig Harrington wants a full house for his Irish Open title defence at Adare Manor from May 15-18. Read More...

Bjorn warning for Irish Open bosses

Reds fan Thomas Bjorn has sent an SOS to Irish Open chiefs: Don’t put the frighteners on the players.
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Torrance goes plane crazy

Coach Bob Torrance has revealed how he almost went plane crazy during The Irish Open play-off.
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Huge Irish Open on cards for 2008

Adare Manor boss Tom Kane believes next year’s Irish Open can become a €4 million Ryder Cup points bonanza.
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Adare is new Valderrama says O'Leary

Adare Manor could become Ireland's answer to Valderrama.
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Harrington plays down million to one shot

Don't blow your dough.

That's the blunt message from Irish Open king Padraig Harrington on his chances of grabbing a cool €1 million bonus at Wentworth this week.
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McDowell eyes World Cup spot

Graeme McDowell would love to stand in for Padraig Harrington in November's World Cup in China.
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O'Leary sees rosy future for Irish Open

John O'Leary watched Padraig Harrington crowned as Irish Open king and predicted a massive future for the Irish Open.
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Harrington the play-off king

Padraig Harrington is Ireland's play-off king after his sixth sudden death victory from 11 attempts.
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Cinderella story for Kane

Adare Manor boss Tom Kane looked back on his first Irish Open and declared: "It's a Cinderella story."
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Harrington is Irish Open champion

Padraig Harrington cradled his young son in his arms and asked: “Who’s the champ?” Read More...

Harrington ends 25-year Irish Open wait

Padraig Harrington ended Ireland's 25-year wait for an Irish Open winner and declared: "It's Majors next."
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Harrington on the brink of glory

World class Padraig Harrington fired a super 71 to take a three-shot lead into the final round of the The Irish Open at Adare Manor
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Murphy and Higgins in the mix

Kilkenny kingpin Gary Murphy got himself in the mix with a superb 72.
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Irish Open is Harrington's Fifth Major

Padraig Harrington got set to smash a 25-year Irish Open hoodoo and insisted: "This is my Fifth Major."
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Harrington halfway to Irish Open heaven

Daddy cool Padraig Harrington grabbed a one-stroke lead in Irish Open at windy Adare Manor.
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McDowell avoids longest drive

Graeme McDowell avoided a five-hour drive back to Portrush with an amazing birdie-eagle burst.
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Murray makes the cut

Tipperary amateur Pat Murray cruised into the last two rounds of the Irish Open - and helped his mates beat the bookies.
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Harrington to become father again

Padraig Harrington will be giving Tiger Woods the elbow as it emerged that his wife is pregnant again.
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McGinley praise for Padraig

Paul McGinley reckons Padraig Harrington's title bid can turn a damp squib into a firecracker.
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Rough justice at Adare Manor

Peter Lawrie joined a chorus of players claiming that rough justice is killing the fun factor at Adare Manor.
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McGinley not to blame for Adare monster

Paul McGinley believes European golf needs some tough love to break its Major drought.
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Mooney crashes to nightmare 92

Belfast pro Damian Mooney soared to a nightmare 92 at Adare Manor and joked: "I'm disappointed I didn't break 90." Read More...

Torpedo explodes on Harrington

Padraig Harrington had a Torpedo go off in his hands as the greens got the better of him at Adare Manor.
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Irish Open - home players

Paul McGinley topped the Irish charts on a bad day for the 17 strong home brigade at Adare Manor.
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PGA Tour 'stealing' players says McDowell

Graeme McDowell believes the PGA Tour is “stealing” Europe’s top players.
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Don't blame McGinley for length

Paul McGinley held up hands over the monster extension to Adare's 8th hole and roared: Don't blame me.
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Adare will make Ireland proud

Uber-Irishman Paul McGinley took one look at Adare Manor and immediately fell in love.
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Bjorn continues Irish love affair

Great Dane Thomas Bjorn began his chase for a double Irish with a heartfelt triple whammy at Adare Manor.
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Harrington ready to break hoodoo

Favourite Padraig Harrington believes he can end Ireland's 25-year wait for an Irish Open winner.
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Tour chiefs back World Tour idea

European Tour chiefs have backed Padraig Harrington's call for a World Tour.
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Bickerton's massive cab fare

English professional John Bickerton has already had the longest drive of the week - and a massive taxi bill.
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Westwood addicted to putters

Lee Westwood says he's trying to kick his addiction - to putters.
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Harrington's plea to fans

Padraig Harrington is praying that the weather gods will signal a brave new dawn for the Irish Open.
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Pat sticks with day job

Pat Murray hasn't given up the day job as he prepares to make a dream come true at Adare Manor.
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No Irish Open invite for Moriarty

In-form Colm Moriarty has failed to land a precious Irish Open invitation Read More...

Injured Clarke out of Irish Open

Gutted Darren Clarke has been forced to pull out of the Irish Open at Adare Manor - throwing his season further into chaos.
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Kane wants 80,000 fans at Adare

Adare Manor boss Tom Kane is hoping for a bumper 80,000 crowd at this week's Irish Open.
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Fox thankful for Irish Open invite

Noel Fox is thanking his lucky stars for his Irish Open invite - because he has no idea how it came along.
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Ryder Cup stars snub Irish Open

Eight of Europe's Ryder Cup heroes have snubbed the €2.5 million Irish Open at Adare Manor.
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Woosnam ready for Irish Open party

Triumphant Ryder Cup skipper Ian Woosnam is looking forward to another massive knees up in the €2.5 million Irish Open at Adare Manor.
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Blind golfer for Irish Open pro-am

Twelve lucky amateurs will get to play in the Irish Open Pro-Am at Adare Manor - including a former US Open blind golf champion. Read More...

€1 million bonus provides sex and violence

Next month's Irish Open winner could bank a massive €2.1 million pay day - for just two weeks work. Read More...

Ryder Cup stars snub Irish Open

Half of Europe's Ryder Cup winning team are set to turn their backs on the Irish Open at Adare Manor in May.
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Irish Open faces fan challenge

The Llanelli Scarlets can give the Irish Open a massive boost - by beating Munster in the Heineken Cup. Read More...

Kane beats cancer for third time

Former Marine Corps pilot Tom Kane has shot down cancer for the third time and vowed to make the Irish Open one of the European Tour’s top guns. Read More...

Dead hamster in the works

Finding a dead hamster in his golf bag isn't the worst thing that's happend David Probyn at an Irish Open venue. Read More...

Harrington wants Irish Open party

Padraig Harrington wants a party atmosphere at Adare Manor when he bids to end a 25-year wait for a home winner of the new-look Irish Open. Read More...

Harrington wants Irish Open

Padraig Harrington wants to end a 25-year wait for a home winner when the Irish Open heads to Adare Manor from 17-20 May. Read More...

County Louth to host Nissan Irish Open

Golf-mad Baltray has been officially announced as the venue for next year's Nissan Irish Open. Read More...

Clarke and McDowell blown away

Ulster star Graeme McDowell and Darren Clarke were blown away at Fota Island - by the weather and the officials. Read More...

Baldomero worried as Seve pulls out of K Club

Spanish ace Seve Ballesteros has pulled out of next week's Smurfit European Open at the K Club.
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Clarke's Irish Open blues

Thunder-faced Darren Clarke stormed from the recorder's hut at Fota Island and raged: "I've messed it up again." Read More...