Irish Golf Desk
Golf news and features
Irish Golf Desk - Irish Golf News
Site last published: 11/21/08
Ryder Cup
Faldo wants some Rory glory
19/11/08 18:29 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2008
Europe’s defeated Ryder Cup skipper will play for the first time in 12 months when he tees it up alongside former Faldo Series graduate McIlroy and Irish World Cup pair Graeme McDowell and Paul McGinley in this week’s UBS Hong Kong Open.
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Langer tips Harrington for Masters glory
18/11/08 18:08 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2008
The German legend, 51, tees it up in the 50th edition of the Hong Kong Open alongside Irish aces Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell and Paul McGinley at Fanling tomorrow.
And after watching Harrington’s impressive wins in The Open and US PGA this summer, he reckons it’s only a matter of time before the Dubliner pulls on the green jacket awarded to the Masters champion.
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Faldo not to blame say Irish stars
22/09/08 12:25 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2008
Nick Faldo is not to blame for Europe's biggest Ryder Cup defeat for 24 years.
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Harrington eager for end to season
22/09/08 12:24 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2008
Frustrated Padraig Harrington says he can’t wait for the season to end after another Ryder Cup flop.
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McDowell sees Major silver lining to Ryder Cup cloud
22/09/08 12:20 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2008
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...
Kentucky fried Faldo as USA ends European streak
21/09/08 12:16 Filed in: Irish Daily Star
Nick Faldo ended up Kentucky fried at Valhalla as home boys JB Holmes and Kenny Perry inspired the USA to a 16.5 to 11.5 Ryder Cup victory. Read More...
Americans regain Ryder Cup
21/09/08 12:11 Filed in: Irish Daily Star
Nick Faldo’s final day strategy backfired as the United States snatched back the Ryder Cup in impressive fashion at Valhalla. Read More...
Harrington wants "ugly" singles
20/09/08 12:09 Filed in: Irish Star Sunday
Padraig Harrington is praying for “ugly” singles battle today after Europe clawed their way back into the Ryder Cup at sultry Valhalla.
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Harrington still a golfing giant
20/09/08 12:05 Filed in: Irish Star Sunday
Padraig Harrington shrugged off another Ryder Cup nightmare at Valhalla but still proved that he is a true giant of the game. Read More...
Harrington and McDowell go down fighting
19/09/08 20:33 Filed in: Irish Daily Star
Celtic tigers Padraig Harrington and Graeme McDowell went down fighting as the United States roared into a 5 - 2 Ryder Cup lead at steamy Valhalla. Read More...
Harrington survives double scare
19/09/08 20:31 Filed in: Irish Daily Star
Padraig Harrington survived two huge scares to help Europe salvage a disastrous foursomes performance at Valhalla. Read More...
Harrington saves Faldo's blushes
19/09/08 20:29 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2008
Top man Padraig Harrington saved Nick Faldo's blushes to grab a vital half for Europe in a nail-biting opening foursomes. Read More...
Harrington to lead by example
18/09/08 20:28 Filed in: Irish Daily Star
Padraig Harrington looks set to strike the first blow for Europe at Valhalla and consign his dismal 2006 Ryder Cup performance to the dustbin of history. Read More...
Harrington to prove he's The Greatest
18/09/08 20:27 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2008
Marked man Padraig Harrington met boxing legend Muhammad Ali on the first fairway at Valhalla yesterday. Read More...
Hapless Hansen suffers identity crisis
18/09/08 20:25 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2008
Hapless Dane Soren Hansen has been suffering an identity crisis at the Ryder Cup. Read More...
Harrington is America's most wanted man
17/09/08 20:23 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2008
Padraig Harrington knows that he is America's most wanted man this week - but he's not even fazed. Read More...
McDowell prepared to get down and dirty
17/09/08 20:22 Filed in: Irish Daily Star
Graeme McDowell has no intention of going down in Ryder Cup history as a good loser. Read More...
McDowell eyes Harrington partnership
17/09/08 20:18 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2008
Matchplay wizard Graeme McDowell hopes he can get handcuffed to Padraig Harrington for the rest of the Ryder Cup. Read More...
Perry makes a bags of it
17/09/08 20:16 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2008
Kenny Perry threatened to dock his caddie's wages after the absent-mind Fred Sander picked up the wrong clubs. Read More...
Azinger fires up home fans
16/09/08 20:15 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2008
Fired up US skipper Paul Azinger wants to blow Europe's Ryder Cup battleship out of the water by firing up the home town crowd. Read More...
Monty's parking problems
16/09/08 20:12 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2008
Europe's caddies had the Ryder Cup contingent in stitches on the eight-hour Virgin flight from Heathrow to Louisville. Read More...
Harrington is Europe's heavyweight champ
16/09/08 20:11 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2008
Louisville might have Muhammad Ali but Europe has its own heavyweight brawler in triple major winner Padraig Harrington.
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Irish spy battle Hurricane Ike
15/09/08 20:09 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2008
Irish greenkeeper Paul O'Donoghue battled last night to repair Valhalla from the effects of Hurricane Ike and keep his Ryder Cup dream alive. Read More...
Faldo promises to reveal his hand
15/09/08 20:06 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2008
Nick Faldo has revealed that he WILL have several Ryder Cup helpers at Valhalla - but not Paul McGinley. Read More...
McDowell to silence American fans
15/09/08 20:05 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2008
Graeme McDowell can't wait to gag the beer-fuelled US fans at Valhalla and continue Ireland's great Ryder Cup tradition. Read More...
Harrington to spank the Yanks
12/09/08 19:09 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2008
Padraig Harrington wants to spank the Yanks in their own backyard.
But he doesn't believe his PGA Tour pals will whip up the partisan Kentucky crowd into a frenzy or resort to the tactics that turned Kiawah '93 into The War on the Shore or Brookline '99 into 'The Bear Pit.' Read More...
But he doesn't believe his PGA Tour pals will whip up the partisan Kentucky crowd into a frenzy or resort to the tactics that turned Kiawah '93 into The War on the Shore or Brookline '99 into 'The Bear Pit.' Read More...
McDowell to impress Faldo in Cologne
10/09/08 19:00 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2008
Ryder Cup rookie Graeme McDowell wants to ease Nick Faldo’s selection headaches with a storming performance in Germany. Read More...
Rafferty calls for end to Faldo bashing
10/09/08 18:58 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2008
Former Ryder Cup star Ronan Rafferty has called for an end to the "whinging" about skipper Nick Faldo. Read More...
Harrington can be Faldo's ace
09/09/08 22:07 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2008
Ryder Cup skipper Nick Faldo reckons Padraig Harrington is the ace who could trump the Americans at Valhalla. Read More...
Tired Harrington ready to recharge
08/09/08 23:05 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2008
Padraig Harrington shrugged of his FedEx Cup KO by heading home for a Major celebration party. Read More...
Harrington can fill Ryder Cup void
04/09/08 01:00 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2008
Padraig Harrington can save Nick Faldo and fill a massive Ryder Cup black hole as Europe's undisputed No 1. Read More...
Clarke nurses wildcard hangover
01/09/08 22:08 Filed in: Irish Golf Desk
Darren Clarke was suffering from a raging Ryder Cup wildcard hangover yesterday. Read More...
Fuming Harrington erects wall of silence
01/09/08 22:04 Filed in: Irish Golf Desk
Fuming Padraig Harrington last night erected a Ryder Cup wall of silence as controversy raged over Nick Faldo’s shock decision to pick Ian Poulter ahead of Darren Clarke. Read More...
Irish Ryder Cup stars disappointed in Faldo
01/09/08 00:39 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2008
Ryder Cup veterans Des Smyth and Christy O'Connor Jnr are "surprised" and "disappointed" that Nick Faldo snubbed Darren Clarke for Valhalla wild card. Read More...
Clarke vows to make 2010 Ryder Cup team
31/08/08 19:43 Filed in: Irish Golf Desk
Darren Clarke has vowed to bounce back from his Ryder Cup wildcard snub and win his sixth cap at Celtic Manor in 2010. Read More...
Harrington backs Clarke and Montgomerie for picks
28/08/08 11:12 Filed in: Irish Golf Desk
I was picking it, I'd be picking Darren. I can only see positive reasons for doing that.
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Clarke and Monty unhappy with Poulter pull-out
27/08/08 20:41 Filed in: Irish Golf Desk
Ian Poulter's decision to rely on a Ryder Cup wild card rather than play at Gleneagles this week does not appear to have gone down well with other players. Read More...
Experience the ace in Clarke's sleeve
25/08/08 19:03 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2008
Veteran Darren Clarke has urged Ryder Cup skipper Nick Faldo to pick him for his vast experience. Read More...
Poulter fuels wildcard speculation with withdrawal
25/08/08 19:01 Filed in: Irish Golf Desk
Ian Poulter has given Nick Faldo a wildcard headache by withdrawing from this week's Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles. Read More...
McGinley happy he resigned Ryder Cup role
25/08/08 18:08 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2008
Paul McGinley believes he has justified his decision to resign as one of Nick Faldo’s Ryder Cup vice-captains. Read More...
Faldo's set for flying visit to Scotland
25/08/08 18:07 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2008
Ryder Cup skipper Nick Faldo will make a flying 8-hour visit to Gleneagles on Sunday - fuelling speculation that he has already decided his wildcards. Read More...
Harrington worries US skipper Azinger
11/08/08 12:24 Filed in: Irish Daily Star
Padraig Harrington is Europe's Tiger Woods and US Ryder Cup skipper Paul Azinger wants to take him down at Valhalla next month. Read More...
Azinger fears Faldoesque Harrington
11/08/08 12:23 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2008
US Ryder Cup skipper Paul Azinger reckons that triple major champion Padraig Harrington is like a cross between Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods Read More...
Ryder Cup blow for Clarke
08/08/08 11:52 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2008
Darren Clarke suffered a massive blow to his Ryder Cup chances when he crashed out of the US PGA at Valhalla.
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Clarke handed Ryder Cup lifeline
28/07/08 16:19 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2008
Darren Clarke got a massive Ryder Cup boost when he was handed a late invitation for next week’s US PGA at Oakland Hills. Read More...
Monty deserves Nick pick
21/07/08 15:09 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2008
Major man Padraig Harrington has urged Nick Faldo to hand Colin Mongomerie a Ryder Cup pick.
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Harrington calls for Monty wildcard
21/07/08 15:08 Filed in: The Irish Examiner
Just a year after waking up to find the Claret Jug glimmering at the foot of his bed, Padraig Harrington enjoyed a hearty bowl of porridge, flipped open his laptop and perused the Ryder Cup rankings with a grin on his face. Read More...
Faldo issues Ryder Cup warning
16/07/08 23:24 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2008
Skipper Nick Faldo has sent a light-hearted Ryder Cup warning to Padraig Harrington - Get your finger out. Read More...
Harrington needs Ryder Cup boost
09/06/08 23:10 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2008
Padraig Harrington is fed up with his snail’s pace progress in the race to make Nick Faldo’s European Ryder Cup team. Read More...
Wentworth miss costs Harrington
26/05/08 17:12 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2008
Padraig Harrington's decision to avoid Wentworth's bumpy greens has cost him his Ryder Cup place. Read More...
Faldo on the defensive
21/05/08 09:33 Filed in: The Irish Examiner
Memories of Nick Faldo’s cringe-inducing 1992 Open Championship winning speech came flooding back during a disappointing media briefing by Europe’s Ryder Cup captain at Wentworth yesterday. Read More...
Faldo praise for Clarke and McDowell
21/05/08 09:32 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2008
Ryder Cup skipper Nick Faldo is delighted to see Darren Clarke come back to winning form. Read More...
Clarke targets sixth Ryder Cup
14/05/08 20:06 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2008
Darren Clarke reckons Padraig Harrington launched Ireland's amazing tournament winning streak. Read More...
Clarke refuses to settle for Nick pick
05/05/08 23:45 Filed in: The Irish Examiner
Darren Clarke knows what he likes - boys toys like his Lamborghini Murcielago, the new Hummer-style golf cart he drives to the range at Queenwood, his iPhone, the private jet he co-owns with Lee Westwood, pints of Guinness and even the odd fag. Read More...
McDowell tips Clarke for Ryder Cup comeback
28/04/08 10:50 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2008
Europe needs Darren Clarke to ride his new wave of confidence to the gates of Valhalla for his sixth Ryder Cup cap. Read More...
Harrington backs McGrane for Ryder Cup
22/04/08 10:41 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2008
Damien McGrane and Padraig Harrington could become the Ryder Cup pairing from hell. Read More...
Top 50 the goal for McGinley
02/04/08 10:48 Filed in: Irish Independent
It might take a walk on the wild card side but Paul McGinley still believes he can make his fourth successive Ryder Cup appearance at Valhalla in September. Read More...
Clarke set for Ryder Cup push
25/03/08 11:05 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2008
Darren Clarke wants to turn his topsy-turvy world the right way up again by grabbing his sixth Ryder Cup cap this season. Read More...
Harrington in a hurry
11/03/08 12:18 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2008
Padraig Harrington has vowed to avoid Ryder Cup agony by wrapping his place for Valhalla in double quick time. Read More...
McDowell wants "no regrets"
27/02/08 21:29 Filed in: Irish Golf Desk
Graeme McDowell is determined to have "no regrets" as he chases Ryder Cup glory this season.
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Rookie Johnson impresses with start
15/02/08 23:56 Filed in: The Irish Times
American skipper Paul Azinger has changed the format for the opening session in this year’s Ryder Cup at Valhalla from fourball to foursomes in a move designed to give the United States a first morning lead for the first time in 18 years.
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Harrington predicts six Ryder Cup rookies
17/01/08 16:46 Filed in: The Irish Examiner
Padraig Harrington began his 2008 campaign with a roller-coaster level par 72 to trail leader Martin Kaymer by six shots after the first round of the Abu Dhabi Championship.
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Ryder Cup boost for Chopra
07/01/08 16:11 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2008
Swede Daniel Chopra got his 2008 Ryder Cup bid off to the perfect start with a sudden death win in the Mercedes Benz Championship in Hawaii.
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Furyk ready for McIlroy
22/12/07 17:20 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2007
Jim Furyk hopes Rory McIlroy makes next year’s Ryder Cup - so Europe lose! Read More...
McIroy tipped for Ryder Cup team
13/12/07 16:24 Filed in: The Irish Times
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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McIlroy can make Ryder Cup
13/12/07 16:20 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2007
Colin Montgomerie believes “fearless” Rory McIlroy can be Europe’s secret weapon in next year’s Ryder Cup in Kentucky.
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McIlroy targets Ryder Cup
13/11/07 19:32 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2007
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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McIlroy can impress Faldo
12/11/07 19:29 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2007
Rory McIlroy can impress Ryder Cup skipper Nick Faldo in this week's Hong Kong Open.
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Faldo to struggle at Valhalla - O'Connor Jnr
26/10/07 21:58 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2007
Paul McGinley's resignation as Ryder Cup vice captain could prove to be a massive blow to Nick Faldo's Valhalla dream.
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Nightmare start to Ryder Cup for Clarke
06/09/07 19:59 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2007
Darren Clarke got his 2008 Ryder Cup campaign off to a nightmare start in Switzerland.
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Rory can be major hit
24/07/07 23:38 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2007
US star Arron Oberholser reckons Rory McIlroy will dominate the Ryder Cup for years to come.
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McGinley named Ryder Cup assistant
23/05/07 00:25 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2007
Paul McGinley has put Padraig Harrington in the shade after leaving him in the dark for four months.
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McGinley bushwhacked by Faldo
22/05/07 00:39 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2007
Paul McGinley has revealed how he was ‘bushwhacked’ by Nick Faldo into accepting a Ryder Cup assistant’s role.
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Rafferty for Ryder role
11/05/07 09:00 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2007
Ronan Rafferty has been touted as a possible Ryder Cup vice-captain to Nick Faldo at Valhalla next year.
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Rafferty for Ryder Cup return?
07/05/07 18:11 Filed in: Golf Digest Ireland
Don’t be surprised if Nick Faldo asks Ronan Rafferty to assist him when Europe bids for a fourth consecutive Ryder Cup victory at Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky next year.
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Irish Ryder Cup was biggest ever
26/04/07 22:33 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2007
Ireland's Ryder Cup was Europe's biggest ever with a windfall of €143 million for the economy.
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Smyth urges blinkers for Ryder stars
19/03/07 20:58 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2007
Struggling Ryder Cup duo Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley need to put the blinkers on and do their own thing. Read More...
Seve boost for Paul McGinley
15/01/07 21:23 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2007
Team player Paul McGinley got a timely ego boost from Seve Ballesteros for his amazing matchplay record.
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Clarke believes adversity can make him stronger
28/11/06 00:31 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2006
Darren Clarke hopes that the most traumatic year of his life can make him a major force in golf. Read More...
Clarke eyes Ryder Cup captaincy
27/11/06 00:36 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2006
Darren Clarke says he would "relish" the honour of being handed the European Ryder Cup captaincy. Read More...
Will Woosie skipper Europe at The K Club?
10/12/04 20:20 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2004
The mystery over who will skipper Europe’s Ryder Cup hat-trick bid at the K Club will soon be revealed. Read More...
Monty wants K Club captaincy
03/05/03 16:57 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2003
Colin Montgomerie has set his heart on the Ryder Cup captaincy in Ireland in 2006. Read More...
'You're talking baloney, Monty' says O'Connor Jnr
30/10/02 13:11 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2002
Christy O’Connor Junior tore a strip off Colin Montgomerie this week and roared – Don’t insult the Irish. Read More...
O'Connor plays guardian angel to McGinley
30/09/02 02:55 Filed in: The Irish Sun 2002
Belfry legend Christy O’Connor Jnr helped Paul McGinley to Ryder Cup glory - by acting as his guardian angel. Read More...
McNeilly critical of Ryder Cup press
06/10/99 23:22 Filed in: Irish Golf Desk
The Northern Ireland man who caddied at the Ryder Cup has said the British press exaggerated the unsavoury element of the contest.
David McNeilly, who worked for Padraig Harrington at Brookline, told the Irish News he now fears the British tabloid press will stoke up “anti-yank feeling” which could be potentially unleashed in 2001 at the Belfry.
“Having had time to reflect on the event now for over a week, I feel the British press have exaggerated the controversial element somewhat. There was incredible excitement on the Sunday. I was excited. The players were excited.
“Things did happen which shouldn’t have happened. There’s no question about that. But we have to get a sense of proportion in all this. The bottom line is that the Americans outplayed the Europeans (on the final day).”
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David McNeilly, who worked for Padraig Harrington at Brookline, told the Irish News he now fears the British tabloid press will stoke up “anti-yank feeling” which could be potentially unleashed in 2001 at the Belfry.
“Having had time to reflect on the event now for over a week, I feel the British press have exaggerated the controversial element somewhat. There was incredible excitement on the Sunday. I was excited. The players were excited.
“Things did happen which shouldn’t have happened. There’s no question about that. But we have to get a sense of proportion in all this. The bottom line is that the Americans outplayed the Europeans (on the final day).”
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