Raphael Jacquelin was all smiles after coming through nine extra holes to win the Spanish Open at El Saler. ©Getty ImagesShane Lowry was looking on the bright side as Raphaël Jacquelin claimed his fourth European Tour victory in the Spanish Open after a nine-hole, record-equalling play-off that lasted more than two hours.

David Higgins chips to the seventh at El Saler. Picture: Eoin Clarke www.golffile.ieDavid Higgins might be joint top for scrambling and sand saves but he’s eight shots behind Scot Marc Warren with a round to go in the Spanish Open.

Shane Lowry drives on the 18th at El Saler. Eoin Clarke www.golffile.ie.Shane Lowry might be inconsistent but he’s certainly not boring as he showed with a superb 66 in the second round of the Spanish Open at El Saler - the joint best round of the day.

David Higgins loves El Saler. Picture: Eoin Clarke www.golffile.ieWhen David Hggins won back his tour card last November he had no doubts he could still win on tour.

“Put me on the right course in the right conditions and I feel I can win,” he said.

Olivia Mehaffey (left) with Lynn McCool, Director of Golf at Lough Erne Resort.As Graeme McDowell prepared to do battle in the RBC Heritage and Mourne’s Reeve Whitson got ready for his European Tour bow in the Spanish Open, Royal County Down’s Olivia Mehaffey claimed overall victory in the  Faldo Series Ireland Championship at Lough Erne.

Peter Lawrie in action in Barcelona. Credit: www.golffile.iePeter Lawrie and Shane Lowry kept surprise leader Scott Jamieson in their sights as they made positive starts in the Spanish Open at Real Club de Golf El Prat near Barcelona.

Steady Lawrie, seeking just his second tour victory following his maiden win in this event in 2008, recovered from a bogey six at his opening hole and putted well from short range to fire five birdies in a four under 68 that left him two off the lead in a share of sixth.

Lowry finished like a train after a slow start, rattling off five birdies in his final six holes for a three under 69.

Darren Clarke headed home thinking he’d missed the cut in the Spanish Open. He hadn’t.Darren Clarke hasn’t had much luck since he was denied a wildcard by Nick Faldo for the 2008 Ryder Cup. But the golfing gods smile on him late on Friday when he discovered that instead of missing the cut by a shot, he had scraped into the last two rounds of the Spanish Open in Seville.

Lee Westwood has urged Rory McIlroy to “be his own man” as he bids to emerge from his mini slump.

Peter Lawrie has set his sights on challenging for the Irish Open after making a sterling defence of his Spanish Open title in Girona.

Defending champion Peter Lawrie produced a thoroughly professional performance to remain on track for back-to-back Spanish Open victories.

Peter Lawrie insists that the Invisible Man treatment he has received on his Spanish Open defence has motivated him to challenge for a rare repeat victory.

Sweden's Jarmo Sandelin has spoken of how he feared for his family in the terrifying apartment block blaze that claimed the life of a neighbour.

 

Blaze hero Jarmo Sandelin stole the show in the Spanish Open despite a stunning nine-under 63 by Soren Hansen.

Michael Hoey will begin a new golfing life this week on the course where the dream began just six months ago.

Paul McGinley is bracing himself for another golfing marathon in this week’s Italian Open.