Clarke caresses first Top-10 for two years: "It's proper golf instead of just firing darts all the time"
Darren Clarke hasn't won a tour event since he claimed The Open at Royal St George's in 2011. He's also had just two top 10 finishes since then — one in China and one in Australia. But he could make it three if he finishes the job in the Emirates Australian Open in the early hours on Sunday.
Bjorn: "If we don’t grow the tour with Asia and South Africa we’re going to struggle against the Web.com tour"
Thomas Bjorn insists that the European and Asian Tours will not be treading on the memory of the late Seve Ballesteros by ignoring his pleas and staging the inaugural Eurasia Cup in Malaysia next month.
McIlroy turns on the style Down Under
Rory McIlroy watches the flight of an iron shot in the second round of the Emirates Australian Open. Picture: Jayne Russell/www.oneasia.asia
Rory McIlroy took advantage of the best of the weather to fire nine birdies in a second round 65 and move to within two shots of leader Adam Scott in the Emirates Australian Open.
McIlroy: "It is hard to give Adam Scott a seven-shot lead"
Rory McIlroy drove the ball well but struggled on the greens at times to slip seven shots behind Adam Scott in the Emirates Australian Open. Picture: Jayne Russell/oneasia.asia
Rory McIlroy sounded like he was bracing himself for another winless week after shooting a 69 to leader Adam Scott’s course record 62 in the first round of the Australian Open.
Erratic McIlroy 10 behind in Korea
CHEONAN, Korea, Oct 18 – Rory McIlroy in action in Saturday’s third round of the Kolon Korea Open. Picture by Paul Lakatos/OneAsia.Rory McIlroy had a bad day on the greens as he made just one birdie in a third round 75 and trails Korea’s Kim Hyung-tae by 10 shots heading into the final round of the OneAsia Tour’s Kolon Korea Open.McIlroy two off the pace in Korea
CHEONAN, Korea, Oct 18 – Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland in action on Friday 18 October, 2013, during the second round of the Kolon Korea Open at Woo Jeong Hills Country Club near Cheonan, south of the capital Seoul. The one billion won (around U.S. $950,000) tournament is part of the OneAsia circuit. Picture by Paul Lakatos/OneAsia.Rory McIlroy is lurking just two strokes behind world No 539 Hong Soon-sang with two rounds to go in the OneAsia Tour’s Kolon Korea Open near Seoul.Late flourish by rusty McIlroy
Rory McIlroy in action in the first round of the Kolon Korea Open at Woo Jeong Hills Country Club near Cheonan, south of the capital Seoul. Picture by Paul Lakatos/OneAsiaAnother day, another double bogey.
That appears to be the pattern for Rory McIlroy, who birdied his last two holes and three of his last five to shoot a one under 70 and trail Japan tour regular Jang Ik-jae by just three shots after the first round of the Kolon Korea Open.
Cold putter condems Clarke in China
Charl Schwartzel was delighted with his win in China. But Darren Clarke was disappointed with his putting. Picture © Oneasia.asiaDarren Clarke’s victory drought goes on after stablemate Charl Schwartzel shot a four under 68 to claim the Nanshan China Masters title by a stroke from the Ulsterman (72) and defending champion Liang Wenchong (72).Clarke tied for the lead in China
Darren Clarke is on track for his first win since the 2011 Open. Picture © Oneasia.asiaDarren Clarke is on course to grab his first win since the 2011 Open Championship after a four-under-par 68 gave him a share of the lead with China’s Liang Wenchong (70) in the OneAsia Tour’s U.S. $1 million Nanshan China Masters.
Clarke makes steady start in China
Darren Clarke was pleased to open with a level par 72 in high winds in the Nanshan China Masters on the OneAsia Tour. Picture © OneAsia.asiaDarren Clarke was impressed by the scoring from the front runners but pleased to open with a level par 72 that left him just four shots off the pace after the opening round of the $1 million Nanshan China Masters.Eight events in 60 days for McIlroy
Rory McIlroy had a different array of sponsors during his last appearace in the Kolon Korea Open in 2011 when he was second, six shots behind Rickie Fowler. Rory McIlroy might not qualify for the PGA Tour’s season-ending Tour Championship but he won’t be stuck for playing opportunities over the last few months of the year.Harrington must keep the faith
A determined looking Pádraig Harrington rips a drive in practice. Picture via OneAsia.asiaPrayad Marksaeng celebrated the first victory by a home player in the Thailand Open for nine years by jumping into a lake. Pádraig Harrington needs to remain true to his leap of faith with his putting.Bangkok blowout for Harrington
Padraig Harrington crosses a bridge during his third round at the Thailand Open in Bangkok. Padraig Harrington’s hopes of a first tournament win for more than two years ended when he carded a three over 75 in the third round of the Thailand Open to slip 11 shots off the pace.Harrington eyes Paddy's Day celebration
Pádraig Harrington appears to be gaining in confidence on the greens. Picture via OneAsia.asiaPadraig Harrington continues to experiment with his glasses in a bid to find his putting touch but still has both eyes firmly fixed on a special St Patrick’s Day celebration in Bangkok on Sunday.
McGinley parks Ryder Cup for playing time
Paul McGinley will be concentrating on his playing career rather than the Ryder Cup for the next six weeks. Picture via OneAsia.asiaNewly appointed Europe captain Paul McGinley is going to “park” his Ryder Cup responsibilities for the next six weeks and concentrate on his own golf game, starting with today’s OneAsia’s season-opening Thailand Open.Harrington finds his reading glasses
Padraig Harrington works in his putting under the watchful eye of mental coach Dr Bob Rotella in Miami last week. Picture Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ieA 24-hour trip to Asia wouldn’t normally fill Padraig Harrington with excitement but the Dubliner touched down in Bangkok this morning feeling more enthusiastic about his putting than he has for five years.