Irish Golf Desk

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Go for glory Rory says Arnie

Four-time champion Arnold Palmer has urged Rory McIlroy to go for glory in his first Masters.

The swashbuckling American legend, 79, reckons McIlroy should not curb his natural attacking instincts and play aggressively at Augusta National.

Asked if McIlroy should simply enjoy his debut, Arnie said: "I don't think anyone should just go out to enjoy it. I think they should go out to win. That's certainly what I did my first time. I finished tenth when I was 25 in 1955.

"I just went at everything. Should Rory? Absolutely."

Palmer revealed that McIlroy turned down an invitation to play in his Invitational tournament at Bay Hill two weeks ago.

He said: "He didn't come to my place. I asked him. But I think he's destined to be good."


Muppet Murphy to be bagman

Kerryman Mark Murphy, 30, plans to kick-start his career by caddying for Swede Mikael Lundberg.

The Waterville man arrived at Augusta by private jet with PGA Tour star and close pal Rocco Mediate and revealed that he plans to act as bag man for Lundberg in the Irish Open at Baltray so he can make some fast cash.

Known as The Muppet when he was a part-time DJ, Murphy lost to Noel Fox in a play-off for the 2000 East of Ireland at Baltray before eventually turning professional.

He's been struggling on the US mini tours but believes he's close to a breakthrough, explaining: "I need to make some money and this is the fastest way I know to finance myself.

"Rocco's been a great help to me but I have to do this on my own. So I will caddy for Mikael in a few European Tour events and I know every inch of Baltray."


No injury a blow to Padraig

Padraig Harrington's Masters  hopes have been dealt a major blow — he's not injured.

The Dubliner's physio Dale Richardson, joked: "It's not good news. There's nothing wrong with him this time."

Harrington suffered from a stiff neck at Carnoustie in 2007 but lifted his first major in a play-off.

He then returned last year and defied a strained wrist at Birkdale and dehydration at Oakland Hills to add two more Majors to his CV.