Irish Golf News

Danny Willett birdied the 18th to win the 2016 Omega Dubai Desert Classic by one stroke from Any Sullivan and Rafa Cabrera Bello on 19 under. Roruy Picture: Getty Images

He’s 29 under for eight rounds of golf and made 45 birdies and two eagles but Rory McIlroy still believes he’s simply knocked a little rust of his game after the first two starts of the season.

Two top 10s in two events is normal for McIlroy but he’d have expected to emerge from the desert with at least one win and heads to the US for the Masters build up with lengthy to-do list.

After making 18 bogeys and one double in his eight rounds in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, McIlroy was happy to close with a 65 and snatch sixth place behind an excellent Danny Willett in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

But he is conscious he has work to do to get ready for his LA-Honda-Doral run later this month and the countdown to the first major of the season at Augusta National

“All in all, it was a decent weekend and decent way to play the last 27 holes, anyway,” McIlroy said, who was 13 under for his last 27 holes. 

"So yeah, game feels in decent shape. Still a few things to work on. Struggling with the driver a little bit, so just want to try and work on that. Got a week off to work on those things and get ready for L.A. in a couple week’s time.”

McIlroy was disappointed he could only par the 18th and while his driving and putting is not 100 percent, he was happy with his chipping and iron play in the desert.

“Wedge play, short game, like around the greens has been good,” he said. “So I think those things, even if I'm not hitting it as well as I'd like, those things are sort of saving me a little bit. 

"So that's the good stuff, and iron play is pretty solid. Working on my driving and my putting. If everything else can stay where it is, I feel like I should get a good run in the States.

"I'm just looking forward to spending a week in my own bed to be honest. That will be nice for a start. It will be good, starting over there with three really good, tough events with Riviera, Honda and Doral. 

“The scoring is relatively tough in those three tournaments, so I'm looking forward to getting into that. Obviously then it’s the run up to Augusta, so it’s an exciting part of the golf season ahead.”

3 birdies in a row and @McIlroyRory moves into a tie for 4th place. #ODDC https://t.co/vIByAGfCty

— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) February 7, 2016

He added: “It’s been nice to shake the rust off these last couple of weeks. It's a good -- it gives me a good understanding of what I need to do going into the next few weeks. It’s been a real helpful exercise in that way, and it would have been nice to come away with a win. 

"But a couple of solid performances and we'll see where I finish at the end of the day. But I still feel like there’s a lot to work on going into the next few weeks and hopefully I can put some good work in next week and feel sharp going into Riviera.”

Having added two events to his pre-Mastes schedule, McIlroy reckons he’ll arrive at Augusta with just the right amount of golf under his belt

"I'm really happy with the schedule I've got. Looking forward to getting into a good run of golf. It will be nice,” he said, before reflecting on his week in Dubai.

"Yeah, it's sort of a week of what could have been. There was a lot of really good golf in there. I played a lot of great shots and made a lot of birdies, but just made a few too many mistakes, as well. 

“I’ll rue the two front nines that I played on Friday and Saturday (38 and 37). Played the combined front nine 5-over par there and if I had not of done that, things could have been different.

"But encouraged with the good golf that I've played. It's been good because I know what I need to work on over the next few weeks. Taking the positives from it but obviously it could have been better.”

McIlroy birdied the fourth, fifth and sixth to go out in 32, then came home in 33 with his openly dropped shot coming at the 12th

“I played the front nine much better, which I was delighted about,” he said. "Started the back nine well. I felt even after I birdied 15, that those three holes coming up, 16, 17, 18, if I could finish with three threes, you never know what can happen.

“I wasn’t able to quite do that. I was only able to manage one birdie over the last three. Still, I played good golf for the most part over the weekend, and I'm happy about that. Looking forward to this big run of golf that we’ve got coming up in the next few weeks. 

“I'll have a week at home, which will be nice in my own bed, a week to work on my game a little bit and get ready for the Northern Trust in L.A. the week after next, and then I think I'm playing five events in a six-week stretch, so it's a busy run of golf coming up, but I'm looking forward to it.

Congratulations @Danny_Willett - the 2016 #ODDC Champion! https://t.co/rjtWLcJZc9

— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) February 7, 2016

"I played a good round of golf. 65 around here is always good. I just left myself too much to do after the first few days. So happy with how I played today, but still feel like there’s a little bit to work on going into my next few events.”

Willett showed nerves of steel to make a 15-foot birdie on the 72nd hole to win the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, edging out his compatriot Andy Sullivan and Spaniard Rafa Cabrera-Bello by one shot.

Willett, 28, knew Sullivan was in the clubhouse on 18 under par after a four under par 68, and had just watched playing partner Cabrera-Bello tap in for birdie to reach the same score,

But he calmly rolled in his own birdie putt for a 69 and his fourth European Tour title.

Having started the day with a one-shot lead, Willett brilliantly withstood the pressure of Sullivan and Cabrera-Bello, who won here at Emirates Golf Club in 2012 and was tied second in Qatar last week.

Three dropped shots gave his rivals hope, but birdies on the 12th and 13th helped set up a thrilling finish, and he closed out in the same ruthless style that won him two titles last season en route to second place in the Race to Dubai.

Korea’s Byeong Hun An and Spain’s Alvaro Quiros both had rounds of 65 to leap into a tie for fourth, while that score was also matched by defending champion Rory McIlroy for a share of sixth place, alongside Henrik Stenson.

Danny Willett“I’m just ecstatic. You can’t buy that feeling, coming down the back nine, the last three holes, in contention of a golf tournament. You can't pay for that experience: you've got to earn it. With all the permutations that were going on as we were coming down the last, with Sully making birdie ahead of us and then Rafa on the green in two, it’s very nice to know that I can dig deep and produce what I can when it is needed the most. You'd love to win by five or six every time you win, but when you win in that fashion, it does feel that little bit extra special. It means when the pressure is on I can produce the goods, I guess. It’s always great to come out early in the season and win. Everything I’ve done has been really good this week, and mentally I’ve been as good as I have been for a long, long time. I stayed patient and let things happen.”Andy Sullivan“Fair play to Danny, holing that putt - that was a tough putt. I didn’t feel like I put him under enough pressure through the midpoint of the round. I had a lot of chances and didn’t take them. The putts towards the end kept me in it, par saves, and when you hole that putt on the last, you feel you’ve given yourself a sneaky chance. But Dan is a quality player and you expect him to step up, and he did. After nine holes I said it’s going too quickly, I was enjoying myself so much. You want to bottle that feeling. It was fantastic, the adrenaline, the emotions - it was good fun and bodes well for the rest of the year. If I can just keep putting myself in that position, eventually I'll get over the line.”

HUGE. Sullivan gets up and down from 117 yards to stay in the mix. #ODDC https://t.co/Zth457hfpQ

— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) February 7, 2016 Rafa Cabrera-Bello“Overall I’m very happy. Finishing second again, it’s a great position. It’s been a fantastic tournament. I played really well and I’m proud of myself. I’m obviously disappointed I didn’t get to win, but I know that playing like this, it’s around the corner. I knew the back nine was going to be very important. Getting off to a strong start would have been ideal, but that didn’t happen, so I just stayed patient. I fought back all day long and played aggressively. I knew that coming down the stretch I could make some birdies and that’s what I did. I tried my best and Danny was one shot better today.”Final scores:

269 D Willett (Eng) 70 65 65 69, 

270 A Sullivan (Eng) 70 66 66 68, R Cabrera-Bello (Esp) 67 67 67 69, 

272 B An (Kor) 71 67 69 65, A Quiros (Esp) 68 69 70 65, 

273 H Stenson (Swe) 69 68 70 66, R McIlroy (Nir) 68 72 68 65, 

274 H Porteous (RSA) 72 66 66 70, C Wood (Eng) 68 68 69 69, T Olesen (Den) 72 64 70 68, T Hatton (Eng) 70 70 68 66, J Luiten (Ned) 69 67 67 71, A Cañizares (Esp) 71 69 68 66, S Kjeldsen (Den) 70 70 66 68, S Hend (Aus) 71 68 66 69, 

275 M Ilonen (Fin) 70 70 67 68, B Wiesberger (Aut) 68 71 69 67, 

276 B Dredge (Wal) 70 70 68 68, G Stal (Fra) 70 68 71 67, J Carlsson (Swe) 71 67 70 68, G Storm (Eng) 68 70 69 69, E Els (RSA) 68 67 74 67, B Dechambeau (am) (USA) 70 69 68 69, 

277 B Rumford (Aus) 67 70 69 71, A Wu (Chn) 70 73 69 65, 

278 N Holman (Aus) 69 70 67 72, R Fisher (Eng) 70 71 68 69, T Fisher Jnr (RSA) 67 68 72 71, W Ormsby (Aus) 71 69 70 68, G Coetzee (RSA) 72 70 67 69, P Hanson (Swe) 67 73 71 67, R Paratore (Ita) 70 71 71 66, 

279 R Rock (Eng) 72 71 70 66, B Evans (Eng) 69 71 69 70, P Edberg (Swe) 71 72 67 69, 

280 G Bourdy (Fra) 72 71 66 71, D Horsey (Eng) 70 73 68 69, R Bland (Eng) 69 69 69 73, 

281 R Kakko (Fin) 72 69 67 73, 

282 J Hansen (Den) 72 71 64 75, N Colsaerts (Bel) 73 70 66 73, B Hebert (Fra) 69 73 71 69, A Levy (Fra) 71 69 71 71, J Morrison (Eng) 69 70 70 73, 

283 S Jamieson (Sco) 69 71 71 72, M Fitzpatrick (Eng) 73 70 68 72, L Bjerregaard (Den) 72 69 69 73, A Johnston (Eng) 73 69 68 73, J Allan (am) (Eng) 69 72 70 72, 

284 T Fleetwood (Eng) 71 71 70 72, J Campillo (Esp) 72 69 70 73, A Noren (Swe) 66 75 69 74, O Fisher (Eng) 69 71 73 71, 

285 G Havret (Fra) 71 70 68 76, P Larrazábal (Esp) 72 69 75 69, S Webster (Eng) 70 73 74 68, D Drysdale (Sco) 72 70 72 71, C Lee (Sco) 72 71 70 72, 

286 R Jacquelin (Fra) 69 73 72 72, M Manassero (Ita) 69 72 70 75, 

287 O Wilson (Eng) 74 69 72 72, K Aphibarnrat (Tha) 70 70 74 73, 

289 D Howell (Eng) 71 70 71 77, D Lipsky (USA) 68 73 74 74, E Pepperell (Eng) 70 73 72 74, 

290 E España (Fra) 72 71 76 71, L Slattery (Eng) 73 67 76 74, 

291 D Foos (Ger) 73 69 77 72, 

298 S Dyson (Eng) 68 75 76 79.

Niall Turner pictured in Taiwan late last year. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

Cork's Niall Turner continued his positive start to the Asian Tour season with a share of 35th in the Leopalace21 Myanmar Open.

It might have been even better for the Muskerry native, 32, but having made four birdies in a row from the third to get to four under, he played the remaining 12 holes on one over.

A cheque for $5,250 leaves Turner 25th in the Order of Merit with $14,950 from two starts  as he heads to the $300,000 Bashundhara Bangladesh Open in Dhaka.

As for Burma, South Africa’s Shaun Norris carded a one-under-par 71 to win the Leopalace21 Myanmar Open.

The South African was a bundle of nerves in his front-nine but regained his advantage with a flawless inward-nine which helped clinch his second Asian Tour title by four shots at the Royal Mingalardon Golf and Country Club.

The Asian Tour reports:

Japan’s Azuma Yano had to settle for second place with Korea’s Junwon Park after he signed off with a 68 at Myanmar’s richest sport event.Korea’s Jeunghun Wang closed with a 69 to finish in fourth place while India’s S.S.P. Chawarasia and American Casey O’Toole shared fifth place on matching 270 totals.Despite holding a seven-shot advantage overnight, victory was not straight forward for Norris as he went out in 38 with two birdies and four bogeys.“The conditions were not easy from the start. When I stepped out of the hotel this morning, it was gusty.“I knew scoring was not going to be easy. I tried to give myself chances early but I hit several bad shots in the wrong places. The wind really got me in the front-nine and confused me,” said Norris.Norris saw his lead cut to three at the turn and it took a crucial birdie on the par-three 11 to finally turn his fortunes around.“I knew there was a couple of short holes in the back-nine and at the end of the day, they still have to catch me. I just told myself to get back into the swing of things and get my rhythm back,” said Norris.Norris then carded another pair of birdies on 14 and 15 to widen his lead and eventually seal victory.070216_LMO_Azuma Yano (JPN) 06Yano, who enjoyed a career-first albatross during the third round, conceded Norris superlative efforts yesterday left him with a mountain to climb and was satisfied with his tied-second finish with Park.“Starting out, I knew that the seven shot gap was a gap too wide. So I was looking at second place, to be honest. It’s a very good result and it’s has given me an early season boost.“I played well all week and have no regrets as this is a good event with a strong field from the Asian Tour,’ said the Japanese.Wang meanwhile thought he could surmount a late challenge after starting out strongly with three birdies in his first five holes.The Korean could not pile any further pressure on Norris as his birdie blitz ended with his fourth and last one coming only on the 14th hole.“I thought I could give Shaun a run for his money especially at the turn. But I missed several birdie chances in my back-nine. I could only par the next four holes starting from 10.“But when the next birdie came on 14, it was already too late as Shaun’s lead was already too wide,” said Wang.Leopalace21 Myanmar Open, Royal Mingalardon (Par72, 7218 Yards)

Detailed scores

264 – Shaun NORRIS (RSA) 66-66-61-71.

268 – Azuma YANO (JPN) 66-68-66-68, Junwon PARK (KOR) 73-64-63-68.

269 – Jeunghun WANG (KOR) 66-68-66-69.

270 – Casey O’TOOLE (USA) 71-69-63-67, S.S.P. CHAWRASIA (IND) 66-66-68-70.

272 – Soomin LEE (KOR) 71-66-68-67.

---

279 - Niall TURNER (IRL) 69-69-72-69

The Island's Paul McBride had one of those days you'd rather forget in the Jones Cup Invitational in Georgia.

The talented Wake Forest star signed for a 14 over 86 in the second round to slip to tied 77th in the prestigious strokeplay event at Ocean Forest Golf Club on Sea Island.

Scores

That Cincinnati's Will Grimmer, Canadian Blair Hamilton and Texan Beau Hossler lead by three shots from the field on level par after two rounds says it all about the scoring.

British Amateur winner Romain Langasque is nine over. 

Invitations to the event are granted at the discretion of the Jones Cup Committee though they base their choices on the following: 

• A.J.G.A. Rankings
• Amateur Rankings
• Azalea Amateur 
• Canadian Amateur
• Collegiate Rankings
• Dogwood Invitational
• GB&I Walker Cup Squad
• Jones Cup
• NCAA Championship
• North and South Amateur
• Northeast Amateur
• Players Amateur
• Porter Cup
• Southeast Amateur
• Southern Amateur
• Sunnehanna Amateur 
• U.S. Amateur
• U.S. Junior
• U.S. Mid Amateur
• U.S. Walker Cup Squad
• Western Amateur
• Western Junior

Darren Clarke will be lighting candles to any deity that will listen in the hope that Shane Lowry plays well enough to join Rory McIlroy in his Ryder Cup team in September.

Picking a rookie is almost a Ryder Cup no-no but Lowry is riding such a wave of confidence right now that he looks odds on to play his way onto the plane to Minnesota in September, one way or the other.

The Clara man tied for 13th in the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines on Monday thanks to a miraculous 73 in a semi-hurricane. And thanks to a closing birdie at TPC Scottsdale for a one under 70 last night, he’s seven under and just three shots behind leader James Hahn (65) heading into the weekend in the weather-delayed Waste Management Phoenix Open.

Just as McIlroy did in Dubai earlier in the day — the Holywood star birdied four of his last six holes to move from outside the cut line to within five of the lead, Lowry was not at his very best as “a few tired” late afternoon swings cost him a little momentum.

He had played the front nine well, holing a coupe of big putts along the way, to turn in two under. While he had bogeyed the fourth when putting through his shadow and got unlucky to overshoot the 10th by a few inches, some quality iron shots into firm greens showed he’s a man who means business.

He converted just two of the chances he created over the last five holes — a 159-yard approach to 23 feet at the 14th and a 173-yard special to a yard or so at the last, having managed to throw in a double bogey six from nowhere a the driveable 17th.

A poor tee shot into a fairwway trap led to an even poorer second that ended up in the lake behind the green. But Lowry was smiling after his closing birdie and looking forward to a big weekend and a crack at his second PGA Tour title in the space of six months.

“I’m pretty happy birdieing the last,” Lowry confessed. “I think I would have been fairly annoyed sitting down for my dinner this evening having only shot level par today. I was a little bit sloppy coming in but I have got to put that behind me now and kick on for the weekend.”

Lowry putts through his shadow on the fourth and misses for par.

Lowry bogeys the 10th

Lowry had had to dig deep to save pars at the 15th and 16th after what he described as lazy swings. At the par-five 15th he played one of his trademark, lazy cut-up wedges to a foot and a half having been forced to lay up after a poor driver. 

At the stadium, par-three 16th, the crowd gave him stick for pulling his tee shot into the trap. He grinned at the razz but he made a great par, splashing out to 10 feet before rolling in the putt.

“I made a couple of lazy swings but thankfully it was a decent one on the last,” he said.

Great win by jack Hume down in South Africa. Also to @Stewyy69 on his 2nd place finish. @GUIGolf ☘☘☘

— Shane Lowry (@ShaneLowryGolf) February 5, 2016

Assessing his position, Lowry said: “The golf course is playing quite tough. It’s quite firm. So if they tuck the pins they are hard to get to. I am looking foward to the weeknd and think if I can go out and shoot a decent round — a couple under or something inthe 60s, I will give myself a right chance for the weekend.”

There is unlikely to be a weekend for Paul Dunne unless Brendan de Jonge and Patrick Rodgers drop three shots each in the combined three hiles they have left to complete this morning.

The cut will fall at level par and Dunne is one over after adding a 71 to a 72 with his putter — so warm in San Diego — cooling down considerably in the chill early morning desert air and showing little signs of a warm up in the afternoon.

As for Padraig Harrington, the scores say the Dubliner missed the cut comfortably after rounds of 74 and 72 but there was back nine rally in the afternoon — three birdies got him back to two over — before he closed with a three putt bogey at the 17th and another following a drive into water at the last.

Unexpected trick shot. pic.twitter.com/LKt1uKHMht

— Padraig Harrington (@padraig_h) January 26, 2016

I sorry there's no magic secret to the hurley in the video,my kids were just playing with it before I took the video.

— Padraig Harrington (@padraig_h) January 27, 2016

I will say if you've ever played hurling a ground pull on the ball is very similar to a golf swing just with a different grip.

— Padraig Harrington (@padraig_h) January 27, 2016

As for McIlroy, he’s clearly not comfortable on firm and fast courses and it took a remarkable finish — he birdied the 13th and the last three — to avoid a first missed cut since last year’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

“I struggled in the wind a little bit and didn’t get off to the best of starts again,” said McIlroy, who had 32 putts. “I bounced back well and persevered and got something out of the round in the end. 

"It never looked like I was going to shoot better than over par, but to shoot par is not bad, and I just need to make sure I get off to a fast start tomorrow. But I’ve come back from bigger deficits than this, and this is one of my favourite places. 

"If I can get off to a faster start tomorrow, you never know. I’ll get better conditions, as well, being out a little earlier. The greens and the course in general got very firm and very fast out there, so hopefully I can get out in the morning and post a good score.”

Former champion Rafa Cabrera-Bello called it one of the best putting rounds of his life after storming to the top of the leaderboard at the halfway stage with a second consecutive five under par 67.

The Spaniard, who won here at Emirates Golf Club in 2012, rolled in his 26th and final putt of the day to birdie the 18th hole and establish a one-shot lead over three-time winner Ernie Els, South African Trevor Fisher Jnr and Englishman Danny Willett.

Els is the only player to win three Desert Classic titles (in 1994, 2002 and 2005), and he did his chances of adding a fourth no harm with a 67 to reach nine under, continuing his resurgence following his recent, well-documented putting woes. The highlight was a superb eagle at the par five 18th.

Els said: “I love this golf course. I’ve played it since '93 so I know it well. I've been feeling better and better since the first week of the season, when it was pretty bad. Things have been coming along a little bit, slowly. But mainly the putter – I’m falling in love on the greens again. 

"It’s a complete turnaround from a couple weeks ago when I was dreading to get on the greens. I’m actually enjoying it on the greens - the surfaces are just unbelievable and I’ve got a lot more confidence in the stroke and the set-up.”

He’s not enjoying the thought of seeing McIlroy charge over the weekend but he’s expecting the world No 2 to challenge.

Darren Clarke, Graeme McDowell, Michael Hoey and Paul McGinley won’t be challenging, having missed the halfway cut.

Clarke (71-73) missed by one with McDowell, surprisingly, a shot further back after a 76. Hoey shot a 71 but the damage was done by a 78 on Thursday while McGinley, playing just his fourth tournament since last October, finished on five over after rounds of 74 and 75.

Round 2 scores: (69 players including two amateurs made the cut at 143 (-1)

134 R Cabrera-Bello (Esp) 67 67, 

135 D Willett(Eng) 70 65, E Els (RSA) 68 67, T Fisher Jnr (RSA) 67 68, 

136 J Luiten (Ned) 69 67, A Sullivan (Eng) 70 66, T Olesen (Den) 72 64, C Wood(Eng) 68 68, 

137 H Stenson (Swe) 69 68, A Quiros(Esp) 68 69, B Rumford (Aus) 67 70, 

138 B An (Kor) 71 67, J Carlsson (Swe) 71 67, H Porteous (RSA) 72 66, G Stal(Fra) 70 68, G Storm(Eng) 68 70, R Bland (Eng) 69 69, 

139 N Holman(Aus) 69 70, S Hend (Aus) 71 68, J Morrison(Eng) 69 70, B Wiesberger(Aut) 68 71, B Dechambeau (am) (USA) 70 69, 

140 W Ormsby (Aus) 71 69, S Jamieson(Sco) 69 71, R McIlroy(Nir) 68 72, M Ilonen(Fin) 70 70, S Kjeldsen (Den) 70 70, P Hanson (Swe) 67 73, K Aphibarnrat (Tha) 70 70, T Hatton (Eng) 70 70, O Fisher(Eng) 69 71, L Slattery (Eng) 73 67, B Dredge (Wal) 70 70, A Cañizares(Esp) 71 69, A Levy (Fra) 71 69, B Evans(Eng) 69 71, 

141 J Campillo (Esp) 72 69, G Havret(Fra) 71 70, D Lipsky (USA) 68 73, R Fisher (Eng) 70 71, L Bjerregaard(Den) 72 69, P Larrazábal (Esp) 72 69, R Paratore (Ita) 70 71, A Noren(Swe) 66 75, R Kakko(Fin) 72 69, D Howell (Eng) 71 70, M Manassero (Ita) 69 72, J Allan (am) (Eng) 69 72, 

142 R Jacquelin (Fra) 69 73, D Foos (Ger) 73 69, G Coetzee (RSA) 72 70, T Fleetwood(Eng) 71 71, A Johnston (Eng) 73 69, B Hebert(Fra) 69 73, D Drysdale (Sco) 72 70, 

143 O Wilson (Eng) 74 69, C Lee (Sco) 72 71, S Webster (Eng) 70 73, S Dyson(Eng) 68 75, J Hansen(Den) 72 71, R Rock (Eng) 72 71, E Pepperell (Eng) 70 73, D Horsey (Eng) 70 73, E España (Fra) 72 71, G Bourdy (Fra) 72 71, P Edberg (Swe) 71 72, M Fitzpatrick(Eng) 73 70, A Wu (Chn) 70 73, N Colsaerts(Bel) 73 70, 

CUT

144 M Baldwin (Eng) 71 73, J Quesne(Fra) 69 75, L Weber (Fra) 72 72, R Sterne(RSA) 73 71, M Madsen(Den) 70 74, M Kieffer (Ger) 72 72, N Fasth (Swe) 73 71, T Lawrence (RSA) 71 73, D Clarke (Nir) 71 73, D Brooks (Eng) 69 75, F Zanotti (Par) 71 73, T Jaidee (Tha) 70 74, 

145 L Westwood (Eng) 75 70, S Gros (Fra) 76 69, M Korhonen (Fin) 72 73, A Wall (Eng) 75 70, G McDowell(Nir) 69 76, B Stone (RSA) 74 71, S Gallacher (Sco) 70 75, J Donaldson (Wal) 74 71, P Lawrie (Sco) 73 72, P Meesawat(Tha) 74 71, 

146 E Molinari(Ita) 72 74, M Lorenzo-Vera(Fra) 74 72, T Pieters(Bel) 76 70, J Lagergren (Swe) 75 71, M Kaymer (Ger) 71 75, R Gouveia (Por) 71 75, T Immelman(RSA) 71 75, A Dodt (Aus) 80 66, R Dinwiddie(Eng) 73 73, M Carlsson(Swe) 73 73, F Aguilar (Chi) 72 74, 

147 L Corfield(Eng) 75 72, K Broberg (Swe) 73 74, L Oosthuizen(RSA) 73 74, E De La Riva(Esp) 75 72, C Paisley(Eng) 72 75, M Warren (Sco) 73 74, D Fichardt (RSA) 73 74, 

148 Z Scotland(Eng) 74 74, M Jiménez (Esp) 74 74, R Wattel(Fra) 77 71, P Doherty (Sco) 75 73, M Ford (Eng) 74 74, M Siem(Ger) 73 75, G Canizares (Esp) 77 71, 

149 P McGinley (Irl) 74 75, M Hoey(Nir) 78 71, M Fraser (Aus) 77 72, N Elvira(Esp) 72 77, F Serghini(Mar) 81 68, 

150 H Otto (RSA) 76 74, 

151 R Ramsay(Sco) 74 77, R Karlberg(Swe) 74 77, J Singh (Ind) 76 75, 

153 B Virto Astudillo (Esp) 76 77, G Green(Mas) 76 77, 

155 R Karlsson (Swe) 75 80, 

156 J Jeong (Kor) 80 76, 

160 A Joudar (Mar) 81 79, 

RET S Khan (Eng) 73 RT, P Uihlein(USA) RT0, 

Shaun Norris and SSP Chawrasia. Picture: Asian Tour

Asian Tour — Niall Turner made four birdies in a five hole stretch fifth but had to settle for a second successive 69 in the US$750,000 Leopalace21 Myanmar Open on Friday.

The Corkman ended the day tied for 32nd on six under par, six strokes behind India’s S.S.P. Chawrasia and South Africa’s Shaun Norris, who both shot 66 to at the Royal Mingalardon Golf and Country Club to lead Myanmar’s richest sporting event by one stroke.

Scores

Turner missed too many fairways on the back nine and while he still hit seven greens, he had eight pars and a bogey in an otherwise excellent round.

Australia’s Sam Brazel *67) and India’s Rashid Khan (66) share third on 11 under.

PGA Tour of Australasia — Cormac Sharvin recovered well from shooting 81 in his first round as a pro with a second round 72 in the Oates Vic Open in Australia.The Walker Cup star from Ardglass missed the cut by 11 shots but three birdies and three bogeys at 13th Beach Golf Links, 70 minutes south of Melbourne, certainly made amends for day one.Detailed scoresAron Price  (68) leads by one from Stephen Dartnall on nine under while Sharvin goes on to next week’s Mercedes Benz Truck and Bus Victorian PGA Championship at Huntingdale Golf Club.

Jack Hume with the South African Amateur Strokeplay Championship trophy

Jack Hume won all four of the boys provincial championships in 2010 but while he claimed the West of Ireland title in 2014, his CV was lacking a major international win until this week.

It was fitting, therefore, that the flawless, eight under par 64 to claim the South African Stroke Play Championship by a stroke from compatriot Stuart Grehan and South Africa’s Jason Smith was described by Lali Stander for the South African Golf Association as “one of the classiest performances of the week.”

Jack Hume with caddie Joseph Mohulatsi

A Walker Cup winner last year, the quietly spoken 22-year old from Naas Golf Club does not look like a man intent on mischief and made a habit of going low in recent final rounds without much reward. 

In November, he shot a nine under 63  in the final round of the Second Stage of the European Tour Qualifying School to make a six man playoff for the 18th and last spot at Panorámica Golf and Sport Resort in Castellón but he lost out at at the second extra hole.

Then just last week, he closed with a 65 to snatch third place in the Liberty Gauteng North Open to give his rivals this week fair warning. This time he proved to be the ultimate assassin.

While the world No 39 appeared to be very much an outsider for the title when he went into the final round six strokes adrift of Smith and Scotland’s Ewen Ferguson, he wasn't quite done.

With the help of a faithful local caddie, he went out in 32, picked up a fifth birdie at the 13th and then birdied the last three holes to clinch a thrilling one stroke victory — the second by an Irishman in this event since Dunfanaghy’s Ciaran McMonagle won at East London Golf Club in 2000.

Done! Textbook birdie for Irishman Jack Hume to set final round target at #SAStrokePlay on 19-under- 269 pic.twitter.com/n1makAlvcp

— Lali Stander (@LaliStander) February 5, 2016

Coming up par-5 18th at Blue Valley...@jase69smith -17 & Irishman @StuartGrehan -18..tense wait for Jack Hume -19 pic.twitter.com/tgfQDTLmEs

— Lali Stander (@LaliStander) February 5, 2016

SA crowd hoping @jase69smith eagles for play-off & Irish hoping he is short at par-5 18...tense times #SAStrokePlay pic.twitter.com/IRptyJyrno

— Lali Stander (@LaliStander) February 5, 2016

Two-feet to far.@StuartGrehan misses chance to tie Jack Hume at #SAStrokePlay but the trophy still goes to Ireland! pic.twitter.com/0LhaoUEb5t

— Lali Stander (@LaliStander) February 5, 2016

Ireland celebrate victory for Jack Hume (-19) & T2 for @StuartGrehan with SA's @jase69smith in 2016 #SAStrokePlay pic.twitter.com/iimY4QM76T

— Lali Stander (@LaliStander) February 5, 2016

Proud moment for SA caddie Joseph Mohulatsi sharing #SAStrokePlay Championship victory with 2016 champ Jack Hume pic.twitter.com/g3JV0tTO0Y

— Lali Stander (@LaliStander) February 5, 2016

Ireland's Jack Hume adds his name to some greats on #SAStrokePlay Trophy...@BrandenGrace @sterne29 @TrevorImmelman pic.twitter.com/qdwSBvZ4QU

— Lali Stander (@LaliStander) February 5, 2016

His 19 under par total of 269 made him the first player to dip under the 270 mark since Richard Sterne won with a 22 under total of 266 total at Oppenheimer Park in 2001.

According to the South African Golf Association, he was absolutely thrilled with the day’s outcome after a shaky start.

“I knew I would have to shoot a low one to have any chance, but I struggled off the tee and battled to save par at the first few holes,” said Hume.“I have to credit my caddie – Joseph Mohulatsi – for keeping me calm. He told me to stay patient, the putts would drop. I really wanted to take advantage of the par fives, so it was a great relief when the first birdie putt dropped at the third.“I missed a close call at five, but made the birdie at six. The birdies at eight and nine really got my momentum going and I got it to 16 under with a birdie 13. I knew I had a chance, but it was very tight.”Ferguson bowed out of tussle when he dropped five shots around the turn, but Smith and Grehan were fighting for pole position in the final group. Smith led on 18 under and Grehan lurked a further shot back after both birdied 13.

Team Ireland...

“Both my birdie putts at 14 and 15 shaved the hole and the pressure was on,” Hume said.“I knew they would both go for the green at 17 and 18 is a par five, so I gunned my drive down the 16th fairway. I had 128 meters to the pin and I hit it four feet and made the putt. "My tee shot at 17 flew well past the flag, but I fancied the birdie putt. It was 35 feet and downhill. The downhill putts hold the line really well on these greens and I hit this one perfectly.”The South African had dropped shots at 15 and 16, but Grehan birdied 16 to tie Hume at 18 under.After a solid tee shot and approach, Hume chipped to three feet, boxed the birdie putt and settled in to see if Smith or Grehan would force a play-off.Smith rallied with a birdie at 17 to get back to 17 under, but Grehan missed his chance to tie Hume’s 19-under target.Smith’s chip for eagle at 18 finished agonisingly close to the hole, while Grehan’s chip sped past the flag. The Irishman’s birdie effort fell short, but Smith drained his four-footer for birdie to grab a share of second.Hume could finally exhale and enjoy the moment.“I had no idea that this was such a prestigious achievement until I saw some of the names on the trophy,” the world number 39 ranked amateur said.“It’s an amazing feeling to hold this trophy and realise that my name will be there next to guys like Branden Grace, Richard Sterne and Trevor Immelman. This is an incredible victory for me and for Ireland.”

Grehan, who is sure to climb from 153rd in the world rankings, shot a 70 and had the satisfaction of posting a 10 under par, course record 62 earlier in the week.

While John Ross Galbraith had a poor nine hole run and missed the cut, it was a good week for the eight strong Irish contingent.

Faithlegg’s Robin Dawson tied for 20th on 10 under thanks to a closing 67 with Rowan Lester 29th after a 72.

Warrenpoint’s was 32nd on seven under, also after a 72, while Alex Gleeson (74) slipped to 40th and Dermot McElroy (73) tied for 44th.

Thanks to everyone for the support this week! Well done to Jacko on the W, serious going! Good start to the year! #onwards #golf

The Glashedy links at Ballyliffin will host the Irish Amateur Close from August 16-20.

Who says the GUI doesn’t listen to the players or the clubs that host the big events? On Friday evening — a poor time to dump significant news about our six amateur “majors” — the Golfing Union Ireland announced some badly needed changes.

They affect qualification criteria for the four provincial championships and the Irish Amateur Open and Irish Amateur Close and the nuts and bolts of the running of those events. moving away from handicap-centric qualifying criteria, which was arguably a major cause of abuse of the handicapping system.

A top-four finish at any one of Ireland’s six ‘majors’ will guarantee that player’s place in the field for the next six. That means that there will be no repeat of last year, for example, when 2014 South of Ireland champion Stuart Bleakley failed to get a place in the 2015 West of Ireland field on his handicap and made an unsuccessful bid to make it via the qualifier.

Under the new rules, a player who reaches the semi-final stage of the West of Ireland, North of Ireland, South of Ireland or Irish Amateur Close Championship, or who finishes in the top-four (including ties) in the East of Ireland or Irish Amateur Open Championship, will get an exemption into the next playing of all six Championships that close for entries following this performance.

The winner of the Irish Youths, Leinster Youths, Munster Youths and Ulster Youths Championships will also receive an exemption along these lines for the six ‘majors’.

In addition, starting with the Irish Amateur Open Championship in May, WAGR rankings will be used to help determine the make-up of the field in these Championships, in another move that will take some of the emphasis away from player handicaps when it comes to deciding the starting lists.

Other significant changes to the rules of Union and Provincial Championships include a reduction in the age limit for Mid-Amateur Championships to 30, and a reduction in the age limit of the Irish Seniors Close Championship to 50. Both changes reflect the changing face of amateur golf with the majors now dominated by players under 25.

There are a number of significant format changes to events, including the provision of a playoff for all players tied for the last place in the match play draw of the Irish Amateur Close Championship, and for the draw for match play to be based entirely on stroke play scores. This change will also apply to the West of Ireland Championship at the end of March.

This news is sure to please those who annually decry the seeding, or perceived seedings, of draws in some of the provincial majors and the arbitrary nature of the countback when weather can play a significant part in the process.

According to the GUI, the changes follow “an in-depth review of Championships, called for by the Union’s new Strategy, adopted in May 2015 after a lengthy consultation process.”

Pat Finn, named last year as the new CEO of the Golfing Union of Ireland, explained: “This suite of changes that are being introduced follow consideration of feedback from players, clubs and other stakeholders.

“Throughout the consultation process that led to its Strategic Plan last year, the Union has received very positive feedback on the way national and provincial events are organised and administered, but this brings an onus to continue to review things and improve.”

 GUI Fixtures 2016FEBRUARY

10-13: Portuguese Amateur Open Championship (Montado)          

23rd-26th: European Nations Championship (Sotogrande)

 

MARCH

2nd-6th: Spanish Amateur Open Championship (Sevilla)    

16th-18th: Sir Michael Bonallack Trophy (Turkey)   

23rd-29th: West of Ireland Amateur Open Championship (Co Sligo)           

30th-31st: Wales Boys v Ireland Boys (Cardigan)

31st: Connacht Under 14 Boys Amateur Open Championship (Strandhill)

30th Mar-1st Apr: Four Nations (Under 16) Development Matches (Hilton Templepatrick)

30th Mar-1st Apr: Munster Youths' Amateur Open Championship (Monkstown)

30th Mar-1st Apr: Ulster Under 16 Boys Close Championship (Ardglass)

 APRIL

4th-9th: Scottish Boys Amateur Open Championship (Murcar Links)

13th-14th: Peter McEvoy Trophy (Copt Heath)

19th: Irish Schools Senior Championship (Athlone)

20th: Irish Schools Junior Championship (Athlone)  

29th Apr – 1st May: Lytham Trophy (Royal Lytham & St Annes)    

29th Apr – 1st May: Fairhaven Trophy (Fairhaven)

29th Apr – 1st May: Munster Stroke Play Championship (Cork)

 

MAY

1ST: Ulster Scratch Foursomes Open Championship (Malone)      

5th-8th: Irish Amateur Open Championship (Royal Dublin)  

10th-11th: Munster Seniors Amateur Open Championship (Tramore)

17th: Brabazon Trophy Qualifiers (Hadley Wood & Fulford)

18th-20th: Irish Seniors’ Amateur Open Championship (Ardee)

20th-22nd: French Amateur Open Championship (Chantilly)           

20th-22nd: Welsh Amateur Open Championship (Royal St Davids)

19th-22nd: Irish Open (K Club)          

27th-29th: Scottish Amateur Open Championship (Gullane No.1)   

28th-29th: Welsh Youths Amateur Open (Whitechurch)       

27th May-1st Jun: NCAA Division 1 Finals (Eugene, Oregon)

 

JUNE

2nd-4th: European Mid Amateur Championship (Czech Republic)  

3rd-5th: St. Andrews Links Trophy (St Andrews)      

4th-6th: East of Ireland Amateur Open Championship (Co. Louth)  

7th-8th: Connacht Seniors’ Amateur Open Championship (Roscommon)

9th-11th: European Seniors Individual Championship (Spain)

11th-12th: Connacht Stroke Play Championship (Athlone)  

13th-15th: Leinster Youths' Amateur Open Championship (Esker Hills)

13th-18th: The Amateur Championship (Pyle & Kenfig)       

18th-19th: Irish Mid-Amateur Open Championship (Limerick)         

21st-22nd: Leinster Seniors’ Amateur Open Championship (Glasson)        

21st-23rd: Leinster Boys’ Amateur Open Championship (Mullingar)

24th: Connacht Boys Under 16 Open Championship (Ballinasloe)  

22nd-25th: Brabazon Trophy (The London Club)      

23rd-25th: Palmer Cup (Formby)      

29th: Munster Under 16 Boys Open Championship (Nenagh)         

28th Jun-1st Jul: Irish Boys Amateur Open Championship (Castle)

 JULY

1st: Ulster Under 14 Boys Open Qualifier (Foyle)

1st-3rd: English Mid-Amateur Open Championship (Brokenhurst Manor)   

4th: Leinster Under 16 Open Championship (Beaverstown)

4th-6th: Interprovincial Championship (Fota Island)  

5th-7th: Ulster Under 14 Boys Amateur Close Championship (Greenacres)

5th-7th: Connacht Boys Amateur Open Championship (Galway)

5th-7th: Scottish U16 Boys Championship (West Lothian)

5th-9th: European Boys’ Team Championship (Diamond GC, Austria)

5th-9th: European Team Championship (Chantilly, France)

6th-8th: Irish Seniors Close Championship (Tralee)              

8th: Leinster Under 14 Boys Amateur Open Championship (Balcarrick)

11th: Leinster Under 16 Boys Close Championship (Ashbourne)     

11th-13th: Junior Open Championship (Kilmarnock-Barassie)        

12th-14th: McGregor Trophy (Royal Ashdown Forest)        

11th-15th: North of Ireland Amateur Open Championship (Royal Portrush)

13th-15th: Munster Boys’ Amateur Open Championship (Dromoland)

14th-17th: The Open Championship (Royal Troon)  

19th: Munster U13 Boys Close Qualifier (East Cork)

19th: Connacht Junior Close Qualifiers (Castle Dargan & Cregmore Park)

20th: Munster U13 Boys Close Qualifier (Adare Manor)

20th-21st: Boys (U14) Interprovincial Championship (Tullamore)

20th-22nd: Boys (U18) Interprovincial Championship (Tullamore)

20th-24th: South of Ireland Amateur Open Championship (Lahinch)           

21st-22nd: Boys (U16) Interprovincial Championship (Tullamore)   

21st-22nd: St Andrews Trophy (Princes)      

21st-23rd: European Young Masters (Switzerland)  

21st-24th: Senior British Open (Carnoustie)              

23rd-24th: Ulster Mid-Amateur Open Championship (Malone)        

25th: Ulster Under 14 Open Qualifier (Blackwood)

26th-28th: Ulster Boys’ Amateur Open Championship (Bangor)

29th: Irish Boys Under 14 Amateur Open Championship (Lurgan)

 

AUGUST

2nd-4th: Boys’ Home Internationals (Ballyliffin-Glashedy)

2nd-4th: Reid Trophy (Porters Park)

2nd-4th: Ulster Youths' Amateur Open Championship (Royal Belfast)        

3rd-5th: British Seniors Amateur Championship (Formby)               

3rd-6th: International European Amateur Championship (Estonia)

4th: Munster U15/U17 Boys close Championship (Carrick-on-Suir)

5th-6th: Leinster Mid-Amateur Open Championship (Carlow)          

8th: Connacht Junior Close Finals (Claremorris)      

8th-9th: Scottish U14 Boys Championship (Craigielaw)

10th-12th: Home Internationals (Nairn)         

11th: Ulster Under 16 Boys Open Championship (Donaghadee)     

11th: Leinster Under 13 Boys Series Finals (Kilcock)

9th-14th:- Boys Amateur Championship (Muirfield & Renaissance)

11th-14th: Olympic Games (Rio de Janeiro)

15th-21st: US Amateur Championship (Oakland Hills)         

16th: Junior Foursomes (National Final) (Clonmel)

16th-20th: Irish Amateur Close Championship (Ballyliffin - Glashedy)         

17th-19th: Irish U16 Boys’ Open Championship (Clonmel)  

18th: Munster U14 Boys Amateur Open Champioship (Tipperary)

18th-19th: Ulster Seniors Amateur Open Championship (Castlerock)                     

22nd: Ulster Under 14 Boys Amateur Open Championship (Dunmurry)

23rd: Fred Daly (National Final) (Galway)

24th-26th: Irish Youths Amateur Open Championship (Galway)      

25th-27th: Junior Players Championship (Sawgrass)

26th-27th: Jacques Leglise Trophy (Princes)

30th Aug-1st Sep: Italian U16 (Biella)

30th Aug-3rd Sep: European Seniors Team Championship (Slovenia)       

 SEPTEMBER

2nd-3rd: Irish Mixed Foursomes (National Final) (Shandon Park)   

2nd-3rd: Munster Mid Amateur Championship (Limerick)    

13th-15th: Seniors Home Internationals (Machynys)            

14th-17th Sep: Cups & Shields (National Finals) (Carton House)    

14th-17th Sep: European Boys Team Championship Division 2 (Czech Republic)

21st-22nd: Munster Veterans Amateur Open Championship (Ring of Kerry)          

21st-24th: World Amateur Team Championship (Mexico)   

24th-25th: Connacht Mid Amateur Championship (Athenry)

26th-27th: Ryder Cup Junior Match (Minnesota)

30th Sep-2nd Oct: Ryder Cup (Hazeltine, Minnesota)

 OCTOBER

8th-9th: Ireland U16 v England U16 (Castletown Links, Isle of Man)           

20th-22nd: European Club Cup Trophy (Crete)

Shane Lowry had mixed feelings after firing a six under 65 to grab an early share of the lead on his debut in the frost-delayed Waste Management Phoenix Open but if he had to choose one overriding feeling, happiness probably outweighed any feelings of frustration.

The world No 21 was quietly chuffed to made eight birdies and build on the momentum of last week’s share of 13th at Torrey Pines.

But having soared to seven under par after 13 holes, he had a nagging feeling that he had let a really low round slip through his fingers due to his lack of aggression and over-tentativeness late in the day

“To get to seven under so early was nice, I just wish I had kept going,” said Lowry who ended the day tied for top spot with Rickie Fowler and Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama.

When play was suspended due to darkness, Greystones rookie Paul Dunne was tied for 47th on one under after 13 holes and Pádraig Harrington joint 115th after an untidy, three over 74. 

Lowry and his fellow leaders were one strokes ahead of India's Anirban Lahiri (66).

Scores

Soft bogeys at the fifth and sixth irked Lowry. But he could be happy that he generally putted very well — 3.86 strokes gained on the field on the greens— and had a solid ball-striking day.

“I was pretty disappointed with the two bogeys and hit a lovely seven iron to the middle of the green [at the seventh] and the greens are probably as pure as I have ever seen. So if you hit a good putt, you know it has a chance," Lowry told Sky Sports.

“I managed to do that today and hopefully I can do it for the next few days. I played nicely last week — Saturday I wasn’t great — but the other three days were very nice and I am feeling good about myself. 

“I put a lot of time in between yesterday and Tuesday and I feel like I am hitting it well. I just need to be more aggressive and less tentative when I get quite low on the day. 

“I was seven under early on and probably should have kicked on from there and made two bad bogeys. But I bounced back with a two and to shoot 65 is nice.”

Shane Lowry fires at the fourth

"It’s a great week, I’ve enjoyed every minute of it so far,” added Lowry, who enjoyed some early adulation from the Phoenix faithful at the stadium par-three 16th when he made the first of three twos on the day by dropping a 30-footer for birdie on its very last revolution.

The Clara man raised both fists to the sky to enjoy the moment and kickstarting a hat-trick birdie run that took him to five under par through the turn in the Arizona desert sunshine

“It was good fun,” Lowry said of his first taste of the 16th in competition.

The world No 21 had holed another 30 footer at the 11th and an eight footer at the 13th before birdies at the 16th, 17th and 18th sent him out in 31.

He then splashed out to seven feet at the par-five third and rolled in a six footer for a two at the fourth before losing a little focus and momentum

With a tricky wind blowing, he drove into a trap at the fifth and missed a seven footer for par while at the sixth, he had just 123 yards to the pin but got caught out by the breeze and came up short, spinning his gap wedge 20 yards down the fairway.

His third deuce of the day, courtesy of a smooth 25 footer at the seventh, undid some of the damage. But after missing a good chance from around 10 feet following a majestic 188 yard approach to the eighth, he did well to chip and putt for par at the ninth after a pushed tee shot ended up in the rough.

Harrington lost more than six strokes to Lowry on the greens as he mixed three birdies with four bogeys and a double bogey six, three-putting twice in a 32-putt, three over 74.

Rookie Dunne, hugely impressive on his debut in San Diego last week (T13 with Lowry) was among the later starters.

But while he rolled in a three footer for a birdie four at the second and a 30 footer for another at the 10th, he missed just one good chance inside 10 feet and was generally putting from long range for most of the day, dropping his only shot at the par-three 12th after bunkering his tee shot.

Power 10 back in Colombia

Web.com Tour - Seamus Power opened with a three over 74 in the lightning-delayed Club Colombia Championship at Bogota Country Club.

The West Waterford man made five bogeys and two birdies to share 115th place, 10 shots behind leader Miguel Carballo, 

Scores http://www.pgatour.com/webcom/leaderboard.html

Rory McIlroy. Picture: Getty Images

The habit scoring well when you are not playing your best was something that Tiger Woods turned into an art form.

It now appears that Rory McIlroy is learning that dark art and in what must be a frightening move for his rivals, he’s threatening to start winning that way too.

On a day when Graeme McDowell continued his renaissance with a 69 for a share of 14th that might have been a few lower, McIlroy conjured up six seemingly effortless birdies — some of them stunning — to lurk two strokes behind Alex Noren on four under par.

The Swede, who finished second in this tournament at Emirates Golf Club last year, fired a six under par 66 to lead by one from countryman Peter Hanson, 2012 champion Rafa Cabrera-Bello of Spain, Trevor Fisher Jnr of South Africa and Australian Brett Rumford.

Defending champion McIlroy and the Desert Classic’s most prolific winner Els – who has won the event three times – are in an eight-strong group on four under, with McDowell and Stenson a further shot back.

McIlroy began his day with a bogey six on the par five tenth hole, but soon shook off that poor start with three birdies on the back nine, including a brilliant four at the par five 18th despite driving his ball into the water from the tee. The world number three added three birdies, a single bogey and five pars on the front nine to make a solid start to his title defence.

Having won his first event as a professional at the Desert Classic in 2009, McIlroy is seeking to join Els as a three-time champion.

McIlroy said: “It wasn’t the best way to start, bogeying a par five, and then even the bogey I made on the second hole, which is a birdie hole out here, was a bad mistake. But to bounce back and to birdie some of the tougher holes on the course, I was really pleased with that. 

"When I got myself out of position, I was able to get back in play and make my pars. So, considering the start, I’m happy with how the rest of the round went. I still feel there’s room for improvement in my putting, but it’s definitely got better. 

"Even since winning this tournament back in 2009, the strides I’ve made in my putting have been great. I feel like I’ve got a consistent routine in practice and that definitely helps on the course.”

Darren Clarke threatened to lead early in the day, playing seven holes in five under in the middle of his round to lead on six under before the wheels came off with five dropped shots in his last five for a one under 71.

After a bogey at the fifth, the European Ryder Cup skipper doubled the sixth and then bogeyed the difficult eighth and ninth to end the day tied 47th.

McDowell got off to a good start with an eagle three at the 13th, his fourth, and a birdie at the 14th. But he hit just five fairways and understandably stalled in the middle of the round, needing a birdie at the ninth to erase a bogey five at the sixth.

"I got to a fast start eagling 13 and birdieing 14,” McDowell said. “I gave myself some opportunities on the next six holes and didn’t take them. And I really didn’t drive it in the fairway enough. 

"I bogeyed six, probably the toughest par four on the course today, and it was nice to birdie the last.

“Scoring is not quite as low as it normally is here with the fairways being as firm and as fiery as they are. You have to control your ball here now, so it has changed a little over the years.”

The Portrush native has made no secret of the fact that getting married and having a child was a major change in his life and he took his eye off the ball, preferring to enjoy more time at home with the family than working hard on the range.

A late season win in Mexico was enough to drag him out of a slump that started in 2014 and dragged through most of 2015. It has given him something to cling to having put himself under too much pressure in the latter half of the year and fall from 15th to 86th in the world.

“There is no substitute for winning,” world No 69 McDowell said of his win in the OHL Classic at Mayakoba last November. 

“It wasn’t the best first half of the year but I felt like I worked hard and really dug myself out of a hole and played well the second half of the year. 

“I feel like I am carrying some nice confidence into this year and I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders and I can go out there and relax and play some golf and hopefully have a strong year.”

Paul McGinley shot a two over 74 while Michael Hoey had a poor day, mixing four birdies with eight bogeys and a double in a six over 78.

The Belfast pro was far from his best, scrambling just once for par from eight attempts.

Round 1 scores

66 A Noren (Swe), 

67 T Fisher Jnr (RSA), R Cabrera-Bello (Esp), P Hanson (Swe), B Rumford (Aus), 

68 D Lipsky (USA), A Quiros (Esp), S Dyson (Eng), R McIlroy (Nir), G Storm (Eng), C Wood (Eng), B Wiesberger (Aut), E Els (RSA), 

69 O Fisher (Eng), G McDowell (Nir), J Morrison (Eng), H Stenson (Swe), N Holman (Aus), R Bland (Eng), B Evans (Eng), B Hebert (Fra), J Quesne (Fra), M Manassero (Ita), J Luiten (Ned), D Brooks (Eng), R Jacquelin (Fra), S Jamieson (Sco), J Allan (am) (Eng), 

70 S Kjeldsen (Den), R Fisher (Eng), G Stal (Fra), M Madsen (Den), D Willett (Eng), A Sullivan (Eng), T Jaidee (Tha), A Wu (Chn), S Gallacher (Sco), S Webster (Eng), D Horsey (Eng), E Pepperell (Eng), T Hatton (Eng), M Ilonen (Fin), R Paratore (Ita), B Dredge (Wal), K Aphibarnrat (Tha), B Dechambeau (am) (USA), 

71 A Cañizares (Esp), D Howell (Eng), F Zanotti (Par), D Clarke (Nir), T Lawrence (RSA), M Baldwin (Eng), J Carlsson (Swe), M Kaymer (Ger), G Havret (Fra), A Levy (Fra), T Fleetwood (Eng), B An (Kor), T Immelman (RSA), R Gouveia (Por), S Hend (Aus), W Ormsby (Aus), P Edberg (Swe), 

72 E Espana (Fra), P Larrazábal (Esp), L Weber (Fra), F Aguilar (Chi), N Elvira (Esp), G Bourdy (Fra), M Korhonen (Fin), R Rock (Eng), D Drysdale (Sco), H Porteous (RSA), C Lee (Sco), T Olesen (Den), R Kakko (Fin), J Campillo (Esp), M Kieffer (Ger), E Molinari (Ita), C Paisley (Eng), G Coetzee (RSA), J Hansen (Den), L Bjerregaard (Den), 

73 K Broberg (Swe), S Khan (Eng), M Warren (Sco), M Fitzpatrick (Eng), L Slattery (Eng), L Oosthuizen (RSA), R Dinwiddie (Eng), M Siem (Ger), P Lawrie (Sco), N Colsaerts (Bel), R Sterne (RSA), D Fichardt (RSA), D Foos (Ger), M Carlsson (Swe), N Fasth (Swe), A Johnston (Eng), 

74 B Stone (RSA), J Donaldson (Wal), M Ford (Eng), M Jiménez (Esp), R Karlberg (Swe), P Meesawat (Tha), M Lorenzo-Vera (Fra), P McGinley (Irl), R Ramsay (Sco), O Wilson (Eng), Z Scotland (Eng), 

75 J Lagergren (Swe), A Wall (Eng), R Karlsson (Swe), E De La Riva (Esp), L Corfield (Eng), P Doherty (Sco), L Westwood (Eng), 

76 T Pieters (Bel), H Otto (RSA), J Singh (Ind), S Gros (Fra), B Virto Astudillo (Esp), G Green (Mas), 

77 M Fraser (Aus), R Wattel (Fra), G Canizares (Esp), 

78 M Hoey (Nir), 

80 J Jeong (Kor), A Dodt (Aus), 

81 F Serghini (Mar), A Joudar (Mar), 

RET P Uihlein (USA).

Asian Tour — Cork's Niall Turner continued his fine start to the Asian Tour season with an opening 69 in the Leopalace21 Myanmar Open.

The Muskerry man, who tied for 23rd in his first outing of the season in the SMBC Singapore Open on Monday, shares 28th place on three under at Royal Mingalardon Golf and Country Club in Yangon.

He's five shots behind leader Antonio Lascuna of the Phillippines, who carded an eight under 64 to lead by one from Malaysia's Danny Chia.

Scores

Sharvin struggles on pro debut

One to forget! Put it down to experience!

Stuart Grehan eyes a putt at Blue Valley

Tullamore’s Stuart Grehan is just a shot off the pace heading into Friday’s final round of the South African Stroke Play Championship.

Just two years after Dermot McElroy was denied by Jason Smith, the 23-year old reigning “South” and “East” champion is ready to take on the South African ace, who is tied for the lead with Scottish Walker Cup player Ewen Ferguson on 17 under par.

Maynooth University star Grehan is lurking just one behind on 16 under par after crucial birdies at the last two holes at the Blue Valley Golf and Country Club helped him add a 68 to the course record, 10 under 62 he shot in round two.

Joint leader Smith overcome a nervous bogey at the first with six birdies in a five under 67 as Ferguson eagled the par-five 18th for a 68.

Sweden’s Tim Widing is alone in fourth, three off the pace on 14 under after a 69 while a 68 for Naas’ Jack Hume leaves him the next best of the Irish, six shots off the lead in joint eighth on 11 under. 

It’s been a week of red hot scoring at the Gary Player designed championship layout with Smith setting a new course record 64 in the first round only to see it broken twice on day two.

Widing carded a 63 early in the second round before Grehan set the new mark with a 10 under par 62 late on Wednesday afternoon.

Smith edged out McElroy, Scotland’s Bradley Neil and compatriot Stefan Cronje to lift the  title by one stroke at Benoni Country Club in 2014

But while he bogeyed the opening par-four first, he rallied with his first pair birdies at five and six.

Another brace of gains at 12 and 13 and a third pair at 17 and 18 left him with a chance to enjoy a repeat performance, but the 19-year-old Irene golfer knows he will have to keep his foot on the pedal.

“The scores are going to be low on Friday, so will have to shoot low to have a chance,” he told the South African Golf Association’s Lali Stander.

“The course is in pristine condition and the greens are receptive. Even though the set-up is tough, the guys are firing at the pins. 

"There're still a lot of guys who can hit a hot streak in the final round to win, so I am just going to keep doing everything that I've been doing.”

Ferguson, who fired a flawless second round 64 to join Beckley in pole position on Wednesday, had a great run with birdies at one, three, four, six and eight, but bogeyed the ninth to turn four under.

Battling fatigue on the back nine, the 19-year-old Bearsden golfer dropped further shots at 11 and 16, but the arrival of his Scottish Golf Union National Squad team-mates at 18 did the trick.

“I hit a hard six-iron to 20 feet and popped the ball in the hole,” Ferguson said. “My caddie said if I made birdie at 18, he would carry the bag to the car, so I guess you can say I made double sure.

“Seriously, though, the guys pitching up at 18 was just what I needed. It was great to finish on a high note and get a round of high fives.”

Ferguson held a share of the lead in 2014 and 2015 and knows he will have a fight on his hands to cross the finish line this year.

“The leaderboard is very tight and any guy within six or seven shots from Jason and I could potentially hit another course record and beat us to the podium,” he said.

“It’s going to take precision golf and a bunch of birdies to close the deal. I am going to have a good night’s sleep and go for broke on Friday.”

Hermitage’s Rowan Lester shot a 74 and slipped from seventh to 17th on eight under but Warrenpoint’s Colm Campbell posted a fine 69 and climbed nearly 30 places to 25th alongside Castle’s Alex Gleeson (70) on seven under. 

It was a disappointing day for Ballymena man McElroy, whose 73 relegated him for tied 20th to 34th on five under alongside Faithlegg’s Robin Dawson, who signed for an excellent 68.

South African Stroke Play Championship, Blue Valley Golf and Country Club  (Par 72)

Detailed scores

• T1 Ewen Ferguson -17  
• T1 Jason Smith -17 
• 3 Stuart Grehan -1668
• 4 Tim Widing -14 

—

• T8 Jack Hume -11 68
• T17 Rowan Lester -8 74
• T25 Alex Gleeson -7 70
• T25 Colm Campbell -7 69
• T34 Dermot McElroy -5 73
• T34 Robin Dawson -5 68

CUT (+1) 

• T88 John Ross Galbraith +1 36    

The lush fairways of Limerick Golf Club

Limerick Golf Club celebrates the 125th anniversary of its founding this year and as part of the celebrations the Ballyclough club is hosting at €20,000 PGA Pro Am from July 7-8.

Places are being snapped up quickly and with only a few remaining for what will be an attractive event for the top PGA professionals, anyone who might like to take part is advised to book as soon as possible.

The huge prize fund will make the Limerick PGA Pro-Am one of the top five in the country this year and will be covered by the local and national press and by local radio.

We are reliably informed that "outside of the golf there will also be sporting celebrities in attendance."

The details are as follows:

• Team Entry €500
• Tee Sponsorship €100
• Three players on a team will play with a PGA Professional on both days
• Prizes each day and Overall Prizes
• Lunch will be included for both Day 1 and Day 2.

If you are interested in entering a team or sponsoring a team, please contact:

• Ziggy Maher 087 2476784
• Frank O’Mahony 087 8343528

Embed from Getty Images

Brendan McGovern showed his undoubted class as a competitor and his when he clinched his European Senior Tour card in Portugal and immediately dedicated his success to the late Christy O’Connor Jnr

The 50-year old closed with a two over 73 at Pestana Golf Resort’s Vale da Pinta course to claim the third of five cards on level par 284 and insisted it was thoughts of the late Galway pro who kept him going.

Overjoyed at making his breakthrough onto the Senior Tour, McGovern said: “It feels pretty awesome. A lot of preparation went into this and to get over the line feels really good.

“To be honest with you I had one thought in my head all round and that was Christy O’Connor Jnr. I couldn’t make his funeral but I had a chat with him last September at a Pro-Am at Galway Bay and told him what I was doing.

“One man who would always give you a bit of a boost was Christy Jnr and he was in the back of my head – the drive for me today was ‘this is for Christy Jnr’ and I never lost focus. He was one of the great figures of Irish golf and this was for him.”

McGovern paid an eloquent tribute to O’Connor Jnr on a local radio podcast in January (fast forward to 59:46 for Brendan’s contribution)

England’s Gary Marks prevailed in windy conditions at the European Senior Tour Qualifying School Final Stage to win by one shot from America’s Barry Conser, whose one under par round of 70 was the best of the day as strong winds made for difficult scoring in the Algarve.

McGovern was comfortably inside the top five with one hole to go and while he bogeyed the par-four 18th, he avoided a two man playoff for the fifth and final spot by two shots.

Sweden’s Magnus P Atlevi also earned his card, finishing on level par alongside McGovern. But Canada's Ken Tarling had to beat Brad Smith in a play-off to seal the final spot.

The Canadian, winner of last year’s Senior Tour Q-School, had shot a four over par round of 75 but his English opponent Smith took four putts on the first additional hole, allowing Tarling to clinch fifth place with a bogey.

Marks was tied for second place in Portugal 12 months ago and the 52 year old was delighted to have regained his status as a Senior Tour Member.

Gary Marks . Picture: Getty Images

“I’m surprisingly calm because that felt like a real ordeal,” he said. “I suppose I’m on a little bit of a rebound high. I thought I would be completely exhausted, and that’s probably going to come later, but right now there’s just joy at having achieved that.

“I was nervous today, you always are, because there’s nothing you can do. There isn’t a trick to it, you’ve just got to get over the ball, put a good swing on it, walk after it and hole putts if you get a birdie chance.

“It’s very nice to win. As I said, all five of us, if you’d told us last night we’d be the top five, no-one would have cared where they had come or about the prize money. You’re opening up a very exciting year whether you’re fifth or first. It’s nice to win though, and you don’t get that many meaningful wins – this is one of them.

“It was definitely a benefit to have experienced this before. I’ve been in the thick of it all three times I’ve come here to Q-School and it absolutely helps.

“I tried to keep an eye on things throughout. Initially there’s not too much revealing itself but I had a couple of bogeys and started looking at the board a bit more. You don’t want to get too caught up in that though.

“It wasn’t until the last three or four holes that I started to figure out I could afford four bogeys and still qualify, so I was just trying to avoid doing anything stupid and just make it home – and that’s what I managed to do.”

Conser, another to regain his Senior Tour card, was one of only two players to break par on a difficult final day.

For Atlevi there was redemption for last year when the Swede made a double bogey on the final hole to miss his card by one shot, but the 50 year old’s final round of 76 was good enough to take the fourth card.

Final scores

Detailed scores

282 G Marks (Eng) 69 68 72 73, QUALIFIED

283 B Conser (USA) 69 70 74 70, QUALIFIED

284 B McGovern (Irl) 67 74 70 73 QUALIFIED, M Atlevi (Swe) 68 66 74 76, QUALIFIED

286 K Tarling (Can) 71 71 69 75 QUALIFIED

Non-qualifiers

286 B Smith (am) (Eng) 72 74 68 72 (after playoff with Tarling), 

287 W Grant (Eng) 72 71 72 72, J Carter (USA) 72 68 70 77, M Bianco (Ita) 73 70 72 72, 

288 F Grosset-Grange (Fra) 76 71 71 70, 

289 M Wiggett (Eng) 70 70 73 76, J Buendia (Esp) 72 71 72 74, G Ryall (Eng) 72 71 74 72, B Cameron (Eng) 69 71 77 72, J Carriles (Esp) 75 72 70 72, N Sweet (Eng) 72 68 76 73, C Hunsucker (USA) 66 72 71 80, 

290 S Bennett (Eng) 72 71 74 73, D Westermark (Swe) 69 73 75 73, 

291 G Banister (Aus) 69 68 77 77, 

292 Y Nilsson (Swe) 70 69 77 76, C Swart (RSA) 70 72 74 76, K Hutton (Sco) 71 71 75 75, C Dennis (USA) 68 71 77 76, A Sherborne (Eng) 69 73 75 75, 

293 J Sallat (Fra) 75 72 72 74, J Murphy (Eng) 69 73 76 75, A Fernandez (Chi) 71 71 74 77, 

294 S McNally (Eng) 71 70 77 76, 

295 F Lamare (Fra) 72 74 70 79, 

297 J Romero (Esp) 73 76 70 78, 

298 M Wharton (Eng) 73 77 69 79, 

299 R Sabarros (Fra) 74 69 76 80, 

** G Wolstenholme (Eng) 73 74 72 RT

Rory McIlroy. Picture: Getty Images

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.

That McIlroy, Shane Lowry and Paul Dunne are the only Irish players under 30 with cards on any of the world’s Major tours can be interpreted in many ways. Either standards worldwide have risen so high that Ireland is simply being outgunned by weight of numbers or our methods need closer examination.

The Team Ireland Golf Trust will make its 2016 allocations some time this month but it's a fact that 40% of the 20 European or Challenge Tour wins celebrated by the more than 80 grant recipients over the past 16 years are all down to one man — Michael Hoey. 

It’s possible that Niall Turner, who tees it up in this week’s Leopalace21 Myanmar Open on the Asian Tour, will be the next to make it. Or will it be the massively talented Ardglass talent Cormac Sharvin, 100% in the Walker Cup and snapped up by IMG for his pro debut in the Oates Vic Open in Melbourne? Or perhaps it will fall to Seamus Power on the Web.com Tour’s Club Colombia Championship to break through.

Delighted to announce that @WalkerCup star @CormacSharvin92 has turned professional and joined the IMG Golf Team! pic.twitter.com/7dYD3GyRKz

— IMG Golf (@IMGgolf) February 1, 2016

The big hitting West Waterford man has the skills to make it to the PGA Tour, and so too does Open Championship hero Paul Dunne, who joins Lowry and Pádraig Harrington in the Waste Management Open in Phoenix hoping to take advantage of a sponsor’s invitation for the second week running.

An impressive tied 13th with Lowry on his PGA Tour debut in that wind-ravaged Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines on Monday, the 23-year old from Greystones continues to exceed the expectations of others but not his own.

“Other people’s expectations don’t influence you,” told RTE this week. “I just try to handle my expectations for myself and try and handle myself well and just play as good golf as I can. At the end of the day, you don’t live or die whether you shoot 80 or 60.”

Dunne has a laudable attitude and he’s determined to take advantage of an “amazing opportunity” as he continues to chase the American dream in Phoenix this week.

The 23-year old from Greystones tees it up at TPC Scottsdale knowing that while a win would be the Holy Grail, a second place finish would open the doors to a US career.

Suns game before the big golf tournament with the Irish contingent! pic.twitter.com/8HnFncBIUy

— Patrick Paul (@padraigpaul) February 3, 2016

A cool $126,000 richer following his San Diego start, Dunne needs “only” another 303 FedEx Cup points to earn Special Temporary Membership of the PGA Tour and unlimited invitations for the rest of the season.

A win would be the dream scenario but he would have enough with a second place finish this week, or two big results if he were also to play well on an invitation in next week’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

After landing a last gasp invitation for what is the world’s biggest golfing party at TPC Scottsdale in Phoenix — crowds regularly top 500,000 — Dunne is simply happy to build on the confidence he got by leading The Open for 54 holes last summer. 

“The Open gave me a lot of belief in my game that I could do well against the best players in the world, so I feel like I’m a better player now than I was at the Open last year, so that gives me confidence,” he said.

“I feel like I’m a better putter now than I was back then, I feel like my ball flight is more consistent and I handle myself a little bit better.”

Now ranked ahead of Tiger Woods at 425th in the world, the former Walker Cup star is joined in Phoenix by Clara’s Shane Lowry and three-time Major winner Pádraig Harrington.

“That’s really weird,” Dunne said of his ranking earlier this week. “I said that to mum yesterday and she said ‘yeah, but he hasn’t been playing’ and I said ‘nobody needs to know that’.”

Lowry and Harrington will also be looking for good weeks in Phoenix with a huge haul of world ranking, and therefore Ryder Cup and Olympic Games qualifying points, up for grabs.

The Olympics and the Ryder Cup are also on the radars of McIlroy and Graeme McDowell as they take on a firm and fast Emirates Golf Club in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

McIlroy eased to world No 2 and past Jason Day after the Australian missed the cut in his title defence at Torrey Pines.

And with a superb record in the emirate — he’s won there x times since 2009 — he’ll be looking to see some results from some intensive putting practice this week.

His opinion was sought on everything from zip-lining over a swimming pool to his vote for the top British (or UK or British Isles) sportsman of all time. 

But while he also got attention for saying he’d still love to go head to head with Tiger Woods down the stretch in a major, he was most interesting on the serious Ryder Cup challenge Europe faces at Hazeltine in September.

“They are a young, hungry team for a reason,” McIlroy said. "There's a lot of guys on that team that haven't tasted success at The Ryder Cup. This is going to be hopefully my fourth Ryder Cup, and going for my fourth win in a row. I'm going to be trying to be part of a team that's won for the last four times.

@Graeme_McDowell in full flow off 8 @EmiratesGC @EuropeanTour in @OmegaDDC pro-am @golfindubai @GettySport pic.twitter.com/LMoQSW56YE

— David Cannon (@Cannonball63) February 3, 2016

"If they are, they are motivated, they are hungry and I'm sure they don't want to lose again. And you've got a lot of younger players who will make the team, the likes of a Rickie, a Jordan, Patrick Reed, a few of the younger guys over there that really want to make the team.

"And especially if they have a backroom team like they look like they are going to have with Davis being the captain and, say, Tiger is a vice captain, Phil is a vice captain if they don't make the team, they have got everything there possible to win it back. Then it's up to us and up to all the people in Europe to try and prevent that.

"I would say, I mean, if you look at the last few Ryder Cups, even though we have won them, they have been tight -- maybe not Gleneagles, but you look at the previous two, Medinah and Celtic Manor, they were really, really tight. We were just able to come out on top. They have been closer than people probably realise.”

McDowell also expects a fierce American challenge but he’s more concerned right now on completing his comeback from the nightmare that was most of 2015 and making sure he is in position to challenge for a place in Darren Clarke’s team.

Now 69th, he unexpectedly started his comeback from a slump caused simply by taking his eye off the ball to be with his wife and baby daughter — "Year and a half. Breaking my heart. It’s great” — before Christmas with his win in the OHL Classic at Mayakoba and third place finish the following week in the RSM Classic at Sea Island.

A share of 29th at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions and a missed cut at the Sony Open was not quite what he wanted from his post-Christmas trip to Hawaii but he’s in a far better place than he was three months ago

@Graeme_McDowell aims for $2.5 million @CMRF_Crumlin at next weeks Best of Ireland event in NY. Amazing effort! pic.twitter.com/iPjM9ECk3I

— Stephen Watson (@winkerwatson1) February 3, 2016

“I’m just trying to get back to being as well prepared as I can every week I tee it up, and taking the pressure off myself,” he said. "I think when you do — I’ve had a few periods in my career where you’re not playing good and you can panic a little bit, and you start forcing the issue. I think I started forcing it a little bit at the start of the summer last year, when I was starting to play a little better, but I just couldn't get out of my own way because I needed it too badly. It's happened to me a few times.

"I think that win in México was special on a lot of levels because I felt like I really kind of ground it out for four or five months to get there. You know, I did say to myself, if the win came along, I'm going to enjoy the next one that came along.

"I enjoyed México. It was a special win for me, like I say, trying to use that as a bit of a springboard, take the pressure off myself and just get back to believing that I can play the kind of golf that can compete most weeks I tee it up.

"It's been good. It’s a tough old game sometimes, but I feel like I’ve got good people around me to help me stay kind of grounded and neutral, and believing in myself.”

Making it to the Tour Championship in Atlanta for the first time and qualifying for the Ryder Cup team are two big goals while the Olympics, where Lowry has the edge over him in the rankings, remains secondary (for now).

In short, he’ll be playing lots and working harder than ever after the wake up call of 2014-15.

“I’ve got a lot of agendas, but I’ll just be trying to focus and play the same schedule I’ve been playing, adding a couple here and there,” he said. Trying to play a bit more golf and trying to stay sharp and not kind of fall into the complacency that I felt helped me arrive at playing some bad golf end of 2014 into 2015. I’m just trying to avoid that from happening going forward."

Rory McIlroy is 107 under par for his last 24 rounds in Dubai. pic.twitter.com/lSJNZfoPLG

— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) February 3, 2016

Winning is everything and that's all that matters to McIlroy these days. But even McIlroy knows what's realistic.

“Leaving here with anything short of a win would be disappointing – of course it would," he said. "Leaving any tournament without a win is sort of disappointing, but you try to put a positive spin on it. I think golfers, that's what we usually do. We are disappointed for a bit and then we try to put positive spins on it, and the nice thing is there's always a next week in golf. "

Stuart Grehan (Tullamore) during the 2015 Irish Amateur Close Championship at Tramore. Picture by Pat Cashman

Tullamore’s Stuart Grehan blasted course record — and career best — 10 under par 62 to surge into contention at the weather-delayed South African Amateur Strokeplay Championship.

The reigning South and East of Ireland champion made an eagle and eight birdies in a sensational effort to get to within a shot of clubhouse leaders Ewen Ferguson (64) of Scotland and South Africa’s Aubrey Beckley (66) on 12 under par at Blue Valley Country Club.

“I shot 63 in an Irish College event at home, but this is my lowest round yet,” the 23-year-old told the South African Golf Association. “And I’ve never shot a 29 either. I didn’t really have any expectations coming here, but I’m in it now.”

It was a day of low scoring with the day old course record of 64 going twice in the space of a few hours.

Tshwane golfer Jason Smith set the new mark with an opening eight under 64 on Tuesday, but his effort was bettered by Sweden’s Tim Widing, who fired a 63 early on Wednesday to finish the day tied for fifth at 11 under.

His record last just five hours as afternoon starter Grehan birdied the 10th and collected two more birdies at the 15th and 18th to turn in three under, then dipped to seven under with birdies at one and two and an eagle at the par-five third. 

The Tullamore golfer added another gain at five and a brace of birdies at the seventh and eighth took him to 12 under.

Co-leader Beckley also made the most of the sunny conditions to post a 66 in round two to join Ferguson, who took advantage of an early tee-time to fire a flawless eight-under-par 64.

The pair finished at 13 under, but they will have a long wait to see if their one stroke lead holds up.

Play was suspended for 70 minutes at 14h20 due to the threat of lightning and was called off at 18h25 due to failing light. The second will resume at 06h30 and, following the cut to 65 and ties, the third round is scheduled to start at approximately 08h30 (subject to change).

Grehan shares third spot with South Africa’s Brandon Cloete at the Gary Player championship layout but he wasn’t the only Irish player to get hot.

Hermitage’s Rowan Lester made eight birdies in an immaculate 64 to move up to joint seventh on 10 under.

Walker Cup player Jack Hume shot a quiet 70 to lie joint 12th on seven under alongside Castle’s Alex Gleeson, who was five under for the day with three to play when play was suspended.

Ballymena’s Dermot McElroy was two under through 15 and tied for 20th on six under while Colm Campbell and Robin Dawson were both three under for the day with three to go and a shot inside the projected cut mark on two under.

Whitehead’s John Ross Galbraith did brilliantly to battle his way to a one over 73 after dropping five strokes in his first seven holes.

But the former Irish Close champion is destined to miss the 54-hole cut. 

South African Stroke Play Championship, Blue Valley Golf Estate (Par 72)

Detailed scores

• T1 Aubrey Beckley -13 36
• T1 Ewen Ferguson -13 36
• T3 Brandon Anthony Cloete -12 36
• T3 Stuart Grehan -12 36 62 (F)
• T5 Jason Smith -11 33
• T5 Tim Widing -11 36
• T7 Rowan Lester  -10 36 64 (F)
• T7 Jovan Rebula -10 36
• 9 Robin Roussel -9 33
• T10 Connor Syme -8 36
• T10 Grant Forrest -8 36
• T12 Alex Gleeson -7 33 (-5)
• T12 Jack Hume -7 36 (70)
• T20 Dermot McElroy -6 33 (-2)
• T53 Colm Campbell -2 33 (-3)
• T53 Robin Dawson -2 33  (-3)

(Projected cut -1)

• T87 John Galbraith +1 36 73

Brendan McGovern

Headfort’s Brendan McGovern fired one of the rounds of the day to keep his European Senior Tour card hopes alive at the Qualifying School Final Stage in Portugal.

The three time former Irish Order of Merit winner carded a one-under par 70 in breezy conditions at Pestana Golf Resort’s Vale da Pinta course to move into a tie for fifth with just five full cards on offer after Thursday’s final round.

At two under par, McGovern is tied with Canadian Ken Tarlin on two-under par, just three strokes behind leader Magnus P Atlevi.

The Swede will take a one shot lead into the final round despite carding a three over par round of 74 on Wednesday.

With another eight players within four shots of the top five, the final round promises to be a tense affair and there will be a play-off for the fifth card if necessary.

Magnus P Atlevi. Picture: Getty Images

McGovern began the day tied for 12th and his card hopes looked slim when he bogeyed the fourth and seventh to slip to one over par,

But he dug deep, birdied the eighth and ninth to turn in one under 34 and came home in one under 36 by following a bogey at the 11th with birdies at the 15th and 16th.

As for Atlevi, he was relieved to retain the lead on a blustery day.

“It was difficult today,” he said. “It’s a two club wind and that makes a big difference on this course because you’re hitting uphill and downhill on uneven lies, and this wind is so much more difficult to get near the pin.

“Making par is good on days like this, so it’s completely different, and I just had a poor finish. I would have been pleased with one over par but then I three putted the last two greens so I’m feeling a bit sick right now.

“I’ve been putting beautifully the first two days but today I missed a few, which is a shame, but it’s all part of the game.

“I’m leading and, even though it’s not quite what I was hoping for, it’s better than being behind. The way I try to see it, whether I’m leading or not – and it’s great if I’m leading – it’s all about when the tournament is done. It matters absolutely nothing right now, it’s all about tomorrow.”

Hot on Atlevi’s heels on four under par are American Chris Hunsucker and England’s Gary Marks, with only three other players – Jimmy Carter of America, Canadian Ken Tarling, the winner here 12 months ago, and Ireland’s Brendan McGovern – under par after 54 holes.

The best round of the day came from English amateur Brad Smith, whose three under par round of 68 moved him into the top ten on one over par, though the 50 year old was unsure he would even be able to tee up his third round.

The cut was made at the end of the third round, with players within eight shots of fifth place earning spots in the final round. 34 players were inside the mark at six over par or better.

Scores after round three

208 M Atlevi (Swe) 68 66 74, 

209 C Hunsucker (USA) 66 72 71, G Marks (Eng) 69 68 72, 

210 J Carter (USA) 72 68 70, 

211 B McGovern (Irl) 67 74 70, K Tarling (Can) 71 71 69, 

213 B Conser (USA) 69 70 74, M Wiggett (Eng) 70 70 73, 

214 G Banister (Aus) 69 68 77, B Smith (am) (Eng) 72 74 68, 

215 J Buendia (Esp) 72 71 72, W Grant (Eng) 72 71 72, M Bianco (Ita) 73 70 72, 

216 C Dennis (USA) 68 71 77, C Swart (RSA) 70 72 74, A Fernandez (Chi) 71 71 74, F Lamare (Fra) 72 74 70, Y Nilsson (Swe) 70 69 77, N Sweet (Eng) 72 68 76, 

217 B Cameron (Eng) 69 71 77, K Hutton (Sco) 71 71 75, S Bennett (Eng) 72 71 74, G Ryall (Eng) 72 71 74, A Sherborne (Eng) 69 73 75, D Westermark (Swe) 69 73 75, J Carriles (Esp) 75 72 70, 

218 J Murphy (Eng) 69 73 76, F Grosset-Grange (Fra) 76 71 71, S McNally (Eng) 71 70 77, 

219 J Romero (Esp) 73 76 70, R Sabarros (Fra) 74 69 76, J Sallat (Fra) 75 72 72, G Wolstenholme (Eng) 73 74 72, M Wharton (Eng) 73 77 69, 

CUT

220 J Harrison (Eng) 71 74 75, 

221 M Haddock (am) (Eng) 72 69 80, 

222 K Smith (Can) 75 74 73, J Sanchez (Mex) 73 74 75, 

223 S McAllister (Sco) 76 73 74, 

224 T Lawrence (Eng) 75 76 73, A Murray (Eng) 72 75 77, G Joyner (Aus) 77 73 74, P Jackson (am) (Eng) 74 75 75, 

225 P Scott (Eng) 72 73 80, M Krantz (Swe) 73 76 76, P Scarrett (am) (Eng) 80 73 72, 

226 J Lovell (Eng) 73 76 77, 

228 D Edlund (Swe) 76 79 73, K Tenmark (Swe) 79 76 73, R Tlhabanyane (RSA) 76 74 78, M Deboub (Alg) 74 77 77, 

229 J Klubb (Swe) 75 77 77, S Henderson (am) (Sco) 75 80 74, 

231 D Ray (Eng) 80 77 74, 

232 G Davies (Wal) 76 80 76, 

233 E Kocs (USA) 77 75 81, 

234 B Loome (Eng) 85 74 75, 

237 N Mitchell (Eng) 76 80 81, 

240 E Costa (Por) 76 80 84, 

242 N Gassiebayle (am) (Arg) 81 82 79

Craig Watson, the new GB&I Walker Cup captain

Craig Watson has been appointed as Captain of the Great Britain and Ireland Walker Cup team that will face the USA at Los Angeles Country Club in 2017, writes the R&A.

One of Scotland’s most successful amateur golfers, Watson succeeds Welshman Nigel Edwards, who led the GB&I team to a record 16 ½ - 9 ½ win in the 2015 match at Royal Lytham & St Annes.

Watson will also captain the GB&I St Andrews Trophy team as they take on the Continent of Europe in the 2016 match at Prince’s Golf Club in Kent on 20 and 21 July.

Edwards, after captaining both the GB&I Walker Cup and St Andrews Trophy sides on three occasions, will join The R&A’s Men’s Selection Committee.

GB&I will be looking to defend the trophy at the 46th Walker Cup match in California in 2017 and achieve their first victory on American soil since 2001, when they secured a 15-9 win at Ocean Forest in Georgia.

The 49-year-old Watson won The Amateur Championship at Royal St George’s in 1997 with a 3&2 victory in the final over future Masters champion Trevor Immelman, from South Africa. He played in The Open that year at Royal Troon and the Masters Tournament in 1998.

The East Renfrewshire member represented GB&I in the 1997 Walker Cup match at Quaker Ridge in New York where he secured 1 ½ points from the three matches he played.

“Playing in the Walker Cup team is one of my proudest moments in golf,” said Watson. “I still remember the nerve-wracking moment when I teed it up on the first tee in the afternoon singles on the first day but I settled down and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. It is a privilege for me to take over the captaincy of the team and I have a hard act to follow as Nigel did a fantastic job.

“I am looking forward to getting started and to making sure we put out the strongest team we can next year in Los Angeles. It is a hugely exciting time for amateur golf and you only have to look at the performances of the amateurs in The Open at St Andrews last year to see how competitive the game is at the moment.”

Watson has enjoyed a long and successful amateur career. He represented GB&I in the St Andrews Trophy team which lost by 14-10 to the Continent of Europe at Villa D’Este in Italy in 1998.

He played for Scotland in the Home Internationals in all but one year from 1991 to 2003 and captained the side from 2001 to 2003, before serving as non-playing Captain in 2004. He played in the European Men's Team Championship in 1997, 1999 and 2001, captaining the side to victory in 2001 and, in 2003, serving as non-playing Captain.

A two-time winner of the St Andrews Links Trophy in 1992 and 1998 and winner of eight Scottish Golf Order of Merit titles, Watson was also runner-up in the Scottish Amateur Championship at Downfield in 2001.

Andy Ingram, the Chairman of The R&A’s Men’s Selection Committee, said, “Craig is a well-known and highly respected figure in the amateur game and will bring a great deal of experience and knowledge to the role of Captain. As a former Walker Cup and St Andrews Trophy player himself, he knows just what it means to represent GB&I and I’m sure he will relish the opportunity to work with the players in both teams. ”

The 2017 Walker Cup Match will be played on 9 and 10 September at Los Angeles Country Club in California.

Jack Hume

Dermot McElroy was red hot but it was Jack Hume who led the Irish when he opened with five under par 67 in the South African Stroke Play Championship at Blue Valley Golf and Country Club near Pretoria.

After an opening par at the 10th, Waker Cup star got off to a red hot start with four birdies on the spin and another at the par-five 18th to turn in 31. 

While he cooled off on his homeward nine with seven straight pars to start, he followed his lone bogey of the day at the short eighth with a closing birdie three.

The young Naas maestro’s 67 was good enough for a share of seventh place with the likes of his Scottish Walker Cup team mate Ewen Ferguson, leaving him just three strokes adrift of local player Jason Smith.

Looking to end a 15-month title drought, Pretoria amateur Smith fired a course record, eight-under par 64 to lead by one stroke from Scotland’s Scott Gibson and South Africa’s Aubrey Beckley.

It was a good day for the Irish with five of the eight-strong contingent inside the top 40 after the opening day.

Dermot McElroy

Ballymena talent McElroy shook off some of his winter rust with a four under 68 that looked like it might be a 65 or 64 until he dropped three shots in his last five hole.

The West of Ireland winner started on the 10th and followed birdies at the 12th and 13th with an eagle two at the 16th and a birdie four at the 18th to turn in five under 31.

He then birdied the fourth and fifth to get to seven under but dropped shots at the fifth, seventh and eighth to end the day tied for 15th,

Tullamore’s Stuart Grehan, Hermitage’s Rowan Lester and Castle’s Alex Gleeson posted two under 70s to share 37th with John Ross Galbraith (72), Robin Dawson (73) and Colm Campbell (73) in the middle of the pack.

South African Stroke Play Championship at Blue Valley Golf and Country Club (par 72)

Detailed scores

• 1 Jason Smith -8 64
• T2 Scott Gibson -7 65
• T2 Aubrey Beckley -7 65
• T4 Luke Trocado -6 66 
• T4 Brandon Anthony Cloete -6 66
• T4 Grant Forrest -6 66
• T7 Jack Hume -5 67
• T7 Dylan Mostert -5 67
• T7 Victor Veyret -5 67
• T7 Michele Cea -5 67
• T7 Philip Geerts -5 67
• T7 Bob MacIntyre -5 67
• T7 Sandy Scott -5 67
• T7 Ewen Ferguson -5 67
• T15 Dermot McElroy -4 68
• T37 Stuart Grehan -2 70
• T37 Rowan Lester -2 70
• T37 Alex Gleeson -2 70
• T64 John Ross Galbraith - 72
• T81 Robin Dawson +1 73
• T81 Colm Campbell +1 73

Casey tops at Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links

Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links

Headfort's Brian Casey gave himself a belated 25th birthday present with victory in the gross in the Tuesday Winter Series at Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links.

The former Mullingar Scratch Trophy winner, who played brilliantly to make last season's European Tour Q-School Final Stage and took 20th in the EuroPro Tour money list, carded a two over 73 in tough, chilly conditions at the Bernhard Langer designed links.

Longford's Colin Smith, who plays off a handicap of five, won the best nett with a super 71.

Magnus P Atlevi. Picture: Getty Images

McGovern suffers but survives bad day at School

Brendan McGovern fought back from a nightmarish start to keep his hopes alive at the halfway stage of the European Senior Tour Qualifying School Finals in Portugal.

Second overnight following an opening, four under 67 on Pestana Golf Resort’s Vale da Pinta course, the Headfort professional had to play his back nine in one under to salvage a three over 74 and a share of 12th place — just two shots outside the crucial top five.

At one under par, McGovern is seven strokes behind Swede Magnus P Atlevi, whose double bogey at the final hole cost him a Senior Tour card 12 months ago

This time around, Atlevi fired a bogey-free five under par round of 67 to open up a three shot advantage on the rest of the field.

McGovern began with a double bogey seven at the par-five 10th and when he dropped further shots at the 16th and 18th to slip back to level for the tournament, a damaging round looked on the cards

But he drew on his vast experience and after starting for home with four straight pars, he birdied the 182-yard fifth and parred his way home for his 74.

With two rounds to go, McGovern still has a fighting chance of finishing in the top five (no ties) but he may now need a brace of rounds in the 60s if he is to be sure of a full European Senior Tour card this year.

Atlevi – the youngest player in history to earn a card at European Tour Qualifying School as a 17 year old in 1982 – credited mental preparation for his performance in Portugal so far.

“I’m very happy with my round, no complaints,” said the 50 year old. “I played well but I’m only halfway though, there’s a lot of golf left – it’s a good start, I now just need to keep momentum and stay cool.

“I felt pretty confident in my game coming here this week. I’ve been solid for the last couple of years but there’s no guarantees, but I’ve been feeling good so far.

“A great advantage for me has been knowing the course well already. Ever since December, when I decided to come here, I’ve been playing the course in my head, mentally practising for the week.

“The course is in better shape than last year, the greens are smoother so it’s easier to make more putts and that’s an advantage. It’s not a long course so you have to be a bit tactical – you don’t have to play driver, for example. It can be an advantage, but you can really mess up from the tee as well.

“The green areas are tricky, quite sloped, but I’ve been having a good feel with the putter this week so I just need to keep it going for two more days now.”

Atlevi’s nearest rival is England’s Gary Marks who sits on five under par after two rounds in the 60s, tied for second place with Australian Graham Banister, but the 52 year old is aware the job is only half done at this stage.

“Five is that critical number this week so it’s good to be lying second at this halfway point,” he said. “There’s still a lot of work to do yet and I’m not taking anything for granted.

“You can’t control the final number and you can’t control anyone else – I know it’s a cliché, but you just try to hit one good shot at a time. If you can get to the final 18 holes with four or five shots in hand, then you can play strategy.

“My game is looking quite nice at the moment, but there’s always a ‘we’ll see’ until you get to the finishing line on Thursday.”

First round leader, American Chris Hunsucker, recovered from making five bogeys in his outward nine to shoot 72 and sit in fourth spot on four under par.

The top five will earn Senior Tour cards on Thursday, with a play-off for the fifth and final card if necessary, while a cut after tomorrow’s third round will reduce the field, with anyone not within eight shots of fifth place missing out.

Scores after round two

134 M Atlevi (Swe) 68 66,

137 G Banister (Aus) 69 68, G Marks (Eng) 69 68,

138 C Hunsucker (USA) 66 72,

139 B Conser (USA) 69 70, C Dennis (USA) 68 71, Y Nilsson (Swe) 70 69,

140 B Cameron (Eng) 69 71, M Wiggett (Eng) 70 70, N Sweet (Eng) 72 68, J Carter (USA) 72 68,

141 B McGovern (Irl) 67 74, S McNally (Eng) 71 70, M Haddock (am) (Eng) 72 69,

142 K Hutton (Sco) 71 71, K Tarling (Can) 71 71, C Swart (RSA) 70 72, J Murphy (Eng) 69 73, A Fernandez (Chi) 71 71, D Westermark (Swe) 69 73, A Sherborne (Eng) 69 73,

143 J Buendia (Esp) 72 71, R Sabarros (Fra) 74 69, G Ryall (Eng) 72 71, M Bianco (Ita) 73 70, S Bennett (Eng) 72 71, W Grant (Eng) 72 71,

145 J Harrison (Eng) 71 74, P Scott (Eng) 72 73,

146 F Lamare (Fra) 72 74, B Smith (am) (Eng) 72 74,

147 J Sallat (Fra) 75 72, G Wolstenholme (Eng) 73 74, J Sanchez (Mex) 73 74, F Grosset-Grange (Fra) 76 71, J Carriles (Esp) 75 72, A Murray (Eng) 72 75,

149 J Romero (Esp) 73 76, J Lovell (Eng) 73 76, K Smith (Can) 75 74, S McAllister (Sco) 76 73, M Krantz (Swe) 73 76, P Jackson (am) (Eng) 74 75,

150 M Wharton (Eng) 73 77, G Joyner (Aus) 77 73, R Tlhabanyane (RSA) 76 74,

151 M Deboub (Alg) 74 77, T Lawrence (Eng) 75 76,

152 E Kocs (USA) 77 75, J Klubb (Swe) 75 77,

153 P Scarrett (am) (Eng) 80 73,

155 D Edlund (Swe) 76 79, K Tenmark (Swe) 79 76, S Henderson (am) (Sco) 75 80,

156 N Mitchell (Eng) 76 80, G Davies (Wal) 76 80, E Costa (Por) 76 80,

157 D Ray (Eng) 80 77,

159 B Loome (Eng) 85 74,

163 N Gassiebayle (am) (Arg) 81 82

Old Course to host the Senior Open in 2018

Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, and Keith Pelley, Chief Executive of The European Tour with the Senior Open trophy. Credit: Getty Images

The Old Course at St Andrews, which has been a regular host to the world’s oldest and most international Major Championship for more than 140 years, will achieve another historic milestone from July 26-29, 2018, by hosting the Senior Open Championship Presented by Rolex for the first time, writes the European Senior Tour.

Today’s momentous announcement, which was made jointly by The R&A and the European Tour at The Home of Golf, completes the full set of Major Championships to be held over the Old Course.

The 144th Open in 2015 was the 29th occasion on which the Championship has been played at St Andrews. The Ricoh British Women’s Open has been played there on two occasions and the Old Course will now become the 13th venue to accommodate the Senior Open Championship, which this year celebrates its 30th anniversary with a return to another famous Scottish venue at Carnoustie.

Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, and European Tour CEO, Keith Pelley, welcomed the decision to bring the Senior Open to an iconic location with which many of the world’s greatest senior golfers have a strong affinity.

The announcement also received unanimous support from several golfing greats, including five-time Champion Golfer of the Year and three-time Senior Open winner, Tom Watson, of the United States, who was a prime instigator behind the event heading to St Andrews for the first time.

Although he never claimed the Claret Jug at The Home of Golf – famously finishing tied second behind Seve Ballesteros alongside another European legend in Bernhard Langer in 1984 – Watson spoke today of his desire to compete one last time over the famous links.

The 66-year-old made what he believed would be his final flourish on the Old Course during The Open last year, when he bade an emotional farewell to the Championship, which defined him as a golfer, on the Swilcan Bridge.

Watson is now set to return for one last hurrah, however, alongside a number of champions who can boast victories at St Andrews, including Sir Nick Faldo, Colin Montgomerie and John Daly, who turns 50 this year and is set to make his Senior debut at Carnoustie this July.

Watson has completed all four rounds in every one of the 14 Senior Open Championships in which he has participated. In those 56 rounds he has recorded 20 scores in the sixties and twice carded rounds of 64 on his way to victory in 2003 and 2005, earning just under €1 million in prize money from that Championship alone.

He said: “I am thrilled at the news that the Senior Open Championship Presented by Rolex will be staged over the Old Course for the first time in 2018. Only last July, I played what I believed would be my final competitive round of golf at The Open, and the reception I received as darkness fell on that Friday evening will stay with me always.

“However, The R&A, the European Tour and the St Andrews Links Trust have shown the spirit of cooperation that exists in the game. By agreeing to bring this wonderful Championship to the Home of Golf in July 2018, they have allowed not just me, but many other great champions, an opportunity to return to a venue that means so much to everyone who plays the game.”

Sir Nick Faldo, who captured the second of his three Open victories at St Andrews in 1990, also bade farewell to The Open on the same Friday as Watson in 2015 but he is already thinking about dusting down the clubs to compete in the Senior Open Presented by Rolex in 2 ½ years’ time.

The six-time Major Champion and Britain’s most successful golfer, said: “It is absolutely fantastic to see the Senior Open Championship going to St Andrews in 2018.  This certainly gives me another golfing goal and I only hope my game is good enough to give it a go on the Old Course!

“It’s a great image, even now, to visualise so many legends of the game gathering again in that famous setting. As a golfer, and a golf fan, I will look forward to it enormously.”

Montgomerie was part of the three-man Scotland team who claimed the Dunhill Cup in 1995. Exactly a decade later the three-time Senior Major Champion finished a credible runner-up behind Tiger Woods in The Open over the Old Course, before going one better in that year’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

He commented: “This is great news and will surely deliver the best field ever assembled for the Senior Open Championship. All credit to the powers that be to get the Senior Open at St Andrews for the first time. Even now, more than two years out, I am excited about the prospect. It’s a real coup for The R&A, the European Senior Tour, St Andrews Links Trust, Rolex and everyone associated with the event to get us playing senior golf at St Andrews.

“It will be great to see Tom Watson back, at the age of 68, where we thought he would play in a major for the last time in 2015. However, there will be a lot of other players, like Fred Couples and Bernhard Langer for instance, who will be excited by the prospect. It will be a real celebration of over-50s golf.”

Martin Slumbers said: “There have been many great championships held at St Andrews over the years and it is entirely fitting that the Senior Open should be played at the Home of Golf in 2018. We know that the galleries in St Andrews are passionate about golf and I’m sure they will turn out in strong numbers to see so many renowned senior players competing. It promises to be another wonderful event for golf fans in Scotland.”

Keith Pelley said: “The Senior Open Championship presented by Rolex is, without question, the premier tournament in the Senior game and it is fitting, therefore, that it is to be played for the first time at golf’s most iconic venue. Some of the most celebrated players in history have laid claim to the title over the years and we are already looking forward to seeing who will join them on the Roll of Honour. We thank our partners at the R&A and Rolex for their support and I know all of our Senior Tour Members are already looking forward to pitting their wits against the Old Course in July 2018.”

Embed from Getty Images

Paul Dunne birdied the 18th in the Farmers Insurance Open to miss out on a Top 10 finish and an automatic start in this week’s Waste Management Open. He need not have worried — the organisers of the huge party that doubles as the sellout event at TPC Scottsdale in Phoenix immediately handed him a Sponsor Exemption and another chance to edge towards the Holy Grail of PGA Tour membership.

Like every other young pro, the Greystones man is aiming for the PGA Tour. And he will end up there sooner rather than later, if he continues to progress at this rate. 

While it was surprising that the European Tour didn’t jump at the chance to offer the hero of last year’s Open sponsors’ invitations for their Middle East swing, it’s clear that Dunne is here to stay.

Big thanks to @FarmersInsOpen for the invite and all the volunteers and fans who braved that weather. Top class event.#FarmersInsuranceOpen

— Paul Dunne (@dunners11) February 1, 2016

Also delighted to announce I got an invite into this weeks @WMPhoenixOpen #chuffed

— Paul Dunne (@dunners11) February 1, 2016

On Monday, he parred the 17th and birdied the 18th for a 77 and a share of 13th with Shane Lowry and Hudson Swafford at Torrey Pines, where Brandt Snedeker’s sensational 69 in Sunday’s storms proved enough to pick up the win without hitting a shot.

Lowry remained 21st in the world but Dunne rose 128 places to 425th. 

For those who are counting, he and Lowry earned a cool $125,666 each. For Lowry, the finish will help his quest for world ranking (and Ryder Cup points)  but for Dunne, the money and the forthcoming starts in Phoenix this week and next week’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am give him a chance to win Special Temporary Membership of the PGA Tour.

It’s a big ask for the Greystones man, who has a full European Tour card and has set his long-term sights on the PGA Tour.

Given how seamlessly he has made the transition from amateur to professional golf, he looks more and more likely to win somewhere soon and while expecting him to do so on the PGA Tour is possibly asking too much, anyone who can lead The Open into the final day as an amateur is capable of anything.

To earn Special Temporary Membership of the PGA Tour, a player (who can play seven events on invitations) must win an amount of official money, when combined with money earned in official money World Golf Championships events, equal to or greater than the amount won by the 150th finisher on the previous year’s Official PGA TOUR Money List. 

In this case, Dunne needs match the $578,571 won by Sam Saunders last year. In other words, he needs another $452,000 to become eligible for Special Temporary Member status and "unlimited Sponsor Exemptions thereafter.”

Click and drag for a 360-degree view inside the Stadium at No. 16 at the @WMPhoenixOpen: https://t.co/OHUhwfIMDH pic.twitter.com/m6Zp7lyDoP

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 2, 2016

Whatever happens in Phoenix and Pebble Beach, Dunne is making a name for himself and even coach Denis Pugh, who looks after the swing of Ryder Cup star Francesco Molinari to name but one, said on Sky Sports on Sunday that he believes the Irish star can win a major within the next few years.

Winning regular events usually comes first and rubbing shoulders with the elite can only help, which is why having Lowry and Pádraig Harrington for company for the next two weeks will be great for all three.

As for the Farmers Insurance Open, Snedeker won by a shot on six under par form KJ Choi (76) after a fantastic 69 in the previous day’s trying conditions.

According to PGATour.com, he spent Monday morning "nervously pacing around the library in his hotel while the final groups played Torrey Pines’ finishing holes in a stiff wind. Snedeker started the day one shot behind leader Jimmy Walker, who had to play eight holes.”

The rain that hit Torrey Pines hard the previous day didn’t continue into Monday, but the high winds, which knocked down large trees throughout the course, were still present. The clubhouse proved to be the best place to be in those tough conditions, as Snedeker’s 6-under 282 held up for the victory.

“This has probably been the most nerve wracking four hours I've had on TOUR, just because of the lack of control I had over everything that's going to happen today,” he said. “I had no idea what to expect.”

Kevin Streelman (74) was third on four under Jimmy Walker, who started the day with a one-shot lead, finished fourth after making four bogeys and four pars Monday.

It was Walker’s fourth top-10 in his past five starts at Torrey Pines.

“It played really tough. We got out there and all of a sudden the wind started blowing again and we just finished into the wind,” Walker said. “It was tough.”