Green planet — Irish golf taking on the world
Irish golf might be struggling somewhat to ease players onto the main tours, but when we have the world No 2 heading a five-strong posse in Dubai, a multiple major champion and a WGC winner accompanying a stellar rookie in the US, a Walker Cup winner making his pro debut in Australia and a pair of ambitious Munster men doing their thing from Myanmar to Colombia, it’s clearly not all that bad.
McIlroy needs a miracle Down Under
Rory McIlroy needs an extraordinary final round if he's to successfully defend the Emirates Australian Open in Sydney. Even taking into account the incredible feats performed by the Co Down man this year, it would take something very special for him to get out of jail this time.
Clarke claims first Top-10 for 17 months
Darren Clarke lines up his putt on the 18th at Coolum during the second round of the Australian PGA Championship (Photo: Anthony Powter)When Darren Clarke won the 2011 Open Championship he never imagined it would take him another 17 months to record his next top 10 finish.
T-Rex silenced but Clarke-asaurus showing signs of life
Jeff the dinosaur oversees proceedings at the PGA Championship at Coolum. Picture via Sydney Morniing HeraldDarren Clarke’s swing changes are plainly taking effect as he opened with a two under 70 to share 19th place behind the unheralded Daniel Popovic in the Australian PGA at the Palmer Coolum Resort.Clarke unperturbed by T-Rex sighting
Jeff the tyrannosaurus rex overlooks the 10th tee at Coolum. Picture: Glenn Barnes Source: The Courier-MailIf you though the only dinosaurs roaming around these days were print journalists, think again. Darren Clarke spotted a T-Rex called Jeff in Australia this week."That's my 11-year record down the drain" - Des Smyth
Miguel Angel Jiménez celebrates his third UBS Hong Kong Open win and his status as the oldest winner in the history of the European Tour. Picture by Getty ImagesHong Kong Open winner Miguel Angel Jiménez replaced Des Smyth as the oldest winner in the history of the European Tour, beating the Drogheda man’s 2001 Madeira Island Open record by 284 days to set the new mark at 48 years, 10 months and 13 days.
“That’s my 11-year record down the drain,” Smyth joked on Sunday. “It was good while it lasted but all good things come to an end and Miguel was fantastic.
McDowell survives Melbourne nightmare
Graeme McDowell in action in Melbourne in Thursday’s first round. Friday was more of a struggle. Graeme McDowell saw a dream start turn into a nightmare on the greens as he crashed to a second round 77 but still made the cut by the skin of his teeth in the Talisker Masters in Melbourne.McDowell trailing in Melbourne
Adam Scott missed a few chances early on but still shot a five under 67 in the first round of the Talisker Masters at Kingston Heath. Pic courtesy australianmasters.com.auJust a couple of days after weighing in on the debate on the anchoring of long putters - he’s firmly against it - Graeme McDowell was comfortably outputted by broomstick-wielding Adam Scott in the Talisker Masters in Melbourne.
Clarke 54th as Chalmers wins Australian PGA
Darren Clarke hasn’t had a top 30 finish since winning the Open. Photo Eoin Clarke www.golffile.ieDarren Clarke will be hoping for better in next week’s Nedbank Challenge in South Africa after finishing 54th in the Australian PGA Championship on the Hyatt Regency resort course in Coolum.
Jet-lagged Clarke three behind in Australian PGA
Darren Clarke is just three strokes off the lead after the first round of the Australian PGA Championship. Photo www.golffile.ieDarren Clarke confessed that he was impressed by an incredible comeback by playing partner Adam Scott in the opening round of the Australian PGA Championship in Queensland.