Michael Hoey joins big turnout for Bobby Browne's testimonial
We wrote earlier this month about Bobby Browne's retirement after 48 years of loyal service to the members of Laytown and Bettystown. Last weekend, many of his fellow professionals including Ryder Cup player Des Smyth and multiple European Tour winner Michael Hoey turned out to pay homage to the great PGA professional and teacher.
Strong Hilary field for Baltray
Gary Murphy, currently playing out of Laytown and Bettystown, during the 2011 Austrian Open. Photo Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ieFormer European Tour player Gary Murphy will be one of the star names to watch in Sunday’s RaboDirect Hilary Golf Society outing at County Louth.
Pride kicks in as Lawrie leads in Sicily
Peter Lawrie hits off the 15th at Verdura Golf and Spa Resort. Photo Jenny Matthews/www.golffile.iePeter Lawrie rebounded spectacularly from a devastating second round meltdown in Morocco last week to grab the first round lead in the Sicilian Open with an eight under 64.No Big Break for Mark Murphy in Sicily
Verdura Golf & Spa Resort, Sicily Mark Murphy took advantage of one of the prizes he claimed with his Big Break win by putting on a fine performance last week’s Hassan Trophy.
But while the Waterville player was desperate to clinch another sponsor’s invitation for this week’s Sicilian Open, it’s Killkenny’s Gary Murphy who comes out of retirement to tee it up at Ventura Golf and Spa Resort.
Patience a virtue as Maybin shines in Portugal
Padraig Harrington in action at the Oceânico Victoria Golf Course. Picture Fran Caffrey www.golffile.iePadraig Harrington struggled to keep his patience and avoid mistakes yet still opened with a five under 67 in a first round birdie-fest at the Portugal Masters.
But Gareth Maybin sounded like he was about to lose his when asked about his lack of participation in the Northern Ireland golfing boom after he posted a seven under 65 to sit just a shot off the lead.
Harrington now world No 84
Padraig Harrington hits balls on the range before the final round in Austria. Photo Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.iePadraig Harrington is keen to hook up with his new coach Pete Cowen again at this week’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship where he will seek a result that will halt his dramatic slide down the world rankings and the Race to Dubai standings.Harrington ignores the "junk"
Padraig Harrington tees off on the eighth at the Diamond Country Club. Photo Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.iePadraig Harrington took the first step on the road to rediscovering his game when he ignored what he described as “some of the junk in my head” to fire a second-round 70 in the Austrian GolfOpen.Joy for trio; heartache for Collins and Murphy
Michael Collins. (Photo Jenny Matthews/www.golffile.ie) Jonny Caldwell, Aaron O’Callaghan and Noel Fox made the top 15 who came through the European Tour Qualifying School First Stage at Dundonald Links.
But there was heartbreak for Cork’s Michael Collins, who was ninth overnight but slipped one shot outside the seven over par qualifying mark after a final round 77.
It was an even tougher day for former European Tour stalwart Gary Murphy as he crashed to an 80 to miss out on a place in Stage Two by five shots, slipping from 13th overnight to 18th place.
