Irish Golf News

Clement Sordet

Asian Tour — Darren Clarke has a chance to end the season with his first Top 10 for more than two years at the Thailand Golf Championship.

As French talent Clement Sordet took advantage of a sponsor’s invitation to stormed into a two shot lead thanks to a  nine-under 63 on Saturday, Clarke shot a third successive sub par round to go into the final day a stroke outside the top 10 on seven under.

A three under 69 left Clarke in joint 14th place as 23-year old Sordet got to 16-under for a two-shot lead over Wales’ Jamie Donaldson, who had led the opening two rounds at the US$1 million Asian Tour event.

Scores

Lee Westwood remains on target for his Thailand Golf Championship treble as he made his move with a 64 to take third place with Korea’s Byeonghun An a further shot back in fourth place on 204 total at the Amata Spring Country Club.

Having only turned professional in July this year, Sordet clinched his first victory in just his fourth start as a professional in Northern Ireland the following month.

The Frenchman is continuing to make his mark abroad by eclipsing the marquee names at the Thai showpiece which he fears may now give him a sleepless night.

“Hopefully I can sleep well tonight. I’ll try not take a nap this afternoon so I can sleep well tonight.

“It’s pretty much my dream to play with the top players in the field. I’ll do that tomorrow and hopefully I’ll enjoy it and just play my own game,” said Sordet.

McDowell and Woodland five back at TiburónPGA Tour — Graeme McDowell and Gary Woodland slipped five shots behind Charley Hoffman and Daniel Berger ahead of today's third and final round at the Franklin Templeton Shootout in Florida.Hoffman and Berger had birdies on the last three holes to finish eight under for the day and 20-under 124 for the tournament to lead Brandt Snedeker and Jason Dufner and opening-day leaders Matt Kuchar and Harris English by a stroke.Five teams are within five shots of the leaders after the modified alternate-shot format*, including McDowell and Woodland, who are tied fifth on 15 under after a two under 70 on Friday.The final round will be Saturday, with a better-ball format.

• First Round, Scramble - Each player hits a drive on every hole and the best drive is selected. Each player then plays a second shot from the spot where the selected drive lays, and the best second shot is selected. This process is repeated until the hole is completed.
• Second Round, Modified Alternate Shot - Each player hits a drive on every hole and one drive is selected. The player whose drive is NOT selected hits the second shot, and they alternate shots until the ball is holed.
• Final Round, Better Ball - Each player plays through every hole using his own ball. The player whose score is the lowest on each hole will be the team score for that hole.

Thailand Golf Championship, Amata Spring (Par 72, 7498 Yards)

200 – Clement SORDET (FRA) 71-66-63.

202 – Jamie DONALDSON (WAL) 63-68-71.

203 – Lee WESTWOOD (ENG) 71-68-64.

204 – Byeonghun AN (KOR) 69-67-68.

205 – Sergio GARCIA (ESP) 66-69-70, Martin KAYMER (GER) 68-65-72.

206 – Sam BRAZEL (AUS) 70-68-68.

207 – Matthew FITZPATRICK (ENG) 68-67-72.

208 – Jbe KRUGER (RSA) 68-76-64, Yusaku MIYAZATO (JPN) 68-74-66, Jyoti RANDHAWA (IND) 73-68-67, Kiradech APHIBARNRAT (THA) 69-72-67, Sunghoon KANG (KOR) 70-68-70.

209 – S.S.P CHAWRASIA (IND) 72-69-68, Darren CLARKE (NIR) 69-71-69, JIN Cheng (am, CHN) 73-67-69, Phachara KHONGWATMAI (THA) 68-71-70, Panuphol PITTAYARAT (THA) 70-66-73.

210 – Jacques BLAAUW (RSA) 70-69-71, Brett MUNSON (USA) 67-72-71, Joost LUITEN (NED) 69-70-71.

211 – Thomas BJORN (DEN) 73-69-69, Arjun ATWAL (IND) 73-69-69, Shiv KAPUR (IND) 71-71-69, Juvic PAGUNSAN (PHI) 72-70-69, Shingo KATAYAMA (JPN) 71-70-70, Berry HENSON (USA) 70-70-71, Nicolas COLSAERTS (BEL) 70-70-71.

Rory McIlroy speaking to the BBC 

Newly engaged Rory McIlroy believes that having eye surgery will give him more focus — literally — as he seeks to put a majorless 2015 and the loss of his world No 1 ranking behind him.

Speaking to BBC NI at a charity gala in Belfast, the world No 3 confirmed he was engaged to American Erica Stoll and that laser eye surgery has “opened up a whole new world” for him.

The 26-year-old, who usually plays in contact lenses, is back home enjoying some time off before his 2016 season begins with a showdown with world No 1 Jordan Spieth in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on January 21.

McIlroy will be bidding for a fifth major and a career grand slam at the Masters in April and having failed to produced his best golf on the greens at Augusta National so far, laser eye surgery may help him as it has helped players like Padraig Harrington and Retief Goosen in the past.

“It was successful,” McIlroy said of the operation he underwent in Dublin on Wednesday.  "I woke up and it was like a whole new world, it’s incredible.

"I've struggled with my eyesight now for 10 to 15 years. I’ve had contact lenses and glasses and now I don't have to worry about any of that.

"I think it should hopefully improve me on the golf course and make everything a little bit sharper, that's another positive to take into next year."

McIlroy was out of action for five weeks this year and missed the British Open at St Andrews after rupturing ankle ligaments playing soccer with friends.

Asked how he would spend Christmas, he said he would catch up with friends but "probably won't play as much football".

Great night with Paddy Wallace Fund for Autism. The boss chipping into a washing machine just like 16yrs ago #tbt pic.twitter.com/OXQdu7ABL5

— Rory Foundation (@roryfoundation) December 11, 2015

According to Reuters, former world No 1 Tiger Woods underwent laser eye surgery in 1999 and 2007, winning his first tournament back on both occasions.

Harrington said nearly three years ago that he had had four eyes surgeries while his caddie, Ronan Flood, had also had an operation.

McIlroy, who won four times and claimed the Race to Dubai for the third time in four years, added: "Everything in my life is going great. I'm happy with how the season ended - and how the year has ended."

He was speaking at the The Paddy Wallace Fund for Autism Christmas Ball in Titanic Belfast on Thursday night, where he was challenged to chip a ball into a washing machine just as he did on the Gerry Kelly show in 1999.

Winners France

Clontarf's Eamonn Brady finished third in the individual standings as a PGA in Ireland trio came fourth behind winners France in the PGAs of Europe International Team Championship in Turkey.

The French team of  Mickael Altmeyer, Raphael Eyraud and Arnaud Verhaeghe closed with a six under par tally on Friday to finish tied with defending champions Scotland on 18 under par at Gloria Golf Club in Belek, two shots ahead of third-placed Wales with Ireland's PGA pros three behind in fourth.

Team scores | Individual

West Linton’s Gareth Wright almost secured victory for the Scots with a birdie attempt at the last but then three-putted from 15 feet in sudden death after being nominated for the play-off against Raphael Eyraud.

“I was disappointed to finish that way for the guys,” the Edinburgh-based Welshman told The Scotsman, who had started a three-week trip by winning the PGA Play-Offs at nearby Antalya Golf Club.

“After a poor tee shot, I then left myself a perfect gap wedge yardage only to hit a poor shot to about 15 feet and then three-putted." he groaned after seeing his memorable season - along with Fox, he helped GB&I record a first PGA Cup win on US soil - end on a low note.

This is how close Scotland came to retaining European team title @ts_sport https://t.co/ycLgxCZtT0 pic.twitter.com/pRI9KGzBld

— Martin Dempster (@DempsterMartin) December 11, 2015

Earlier Eyraud had produced the best round of the day, a five-under par 67, and team captain Michael Altmeyer was delighted as the French celebrated a second title triumph in four years.

“He (Eyraud) played very well but I picked him for the play-off because he is the longest of any of us. I’m not long off the tee, neither is Arnaud,” said Altmeyer.

“He didn’t let us down and it’s great to win the tournament again, especially as none of us have played in it before.”

Fox (68) won the individual title by a shot from Bebb on 14 under par with Brady third on 11 under after a final round 69.

Damian Mooney started with a double bogey seven and added nine straight pars before finishing like a train with three birdies and an eagle in his final eight holes for a homeward 30 and a best of the week 69.

The Belfast man ended the week tied for 14th on three over with Headfort's Brendan McGovern (75)  a shot further back in 18th place.

 

Shaun Carter and Jeff Hopkins en route to victory in the AIB Barton Shield with Royal Dublin in September. Picture by Pat Cashman

Sunshine Tour Q-School — Royal Dublin amateur Jeff Hopkins fired an eagle and seven birdies in a seven under 65 to soar to tied seventh with a round to play in the Sunshine Tour Qualifying School in South Africa.

The former Skerries man is seeking the chance to play in one of six Sunshine Tour events from January 7, including the European Tour co-sanctioned BMW SA Open and the Joburg Open.

At nine under par, the Leinster interprovincial is eight shots behind Botswana’s Stuart Smith, who shot a 70 at Bloemfontein Golf Club to lead by two shots from England’s Jack Harrison (66) and by three from South Africa’s Christiaan Bezuidenhout (66).

While it was a good day for Hopkins, Limerick’s Tim Rice shot a two over 74 on the same course, finishing 4-6-4 (bogey, double bogey, bogey) to slip one stroke outside the top 30 on two under par with Saturday’s fifth and final round to go.

Scores

Rice at least made the 72-hole cut for the top 60 and ties but Northern Ireland’s John McClean (75) at three over and Hopkins’ Royal Dublin team mate Shaun Carter (74) at 10 over, both missed the one under par cut.

Hopkins’ 65 was the second best score of the day on the Bloemfontein Course where he started on the back nine and birdied the 11th, 12th and 14th before recovering from back to back bogeys at the 15th and 16th with a birdie at the 17th and an eagle three at the 18th.

Out in 32, he then came home in in three under 33 with birdies at the par-five third and fifth and par-four ninth.

Just 61 players from 272 made the cut in the race for 30 Sunshine Tour cards with Hopkins one of 12 amateurs.

Loftus through to Alps Tour Q-School FinalsAlps Tour Q-School — Declan Loftus added a 75 to his opening 81 to squeak into next week's final stage of Alps Tour Qualifying School at La Cala.The former Irish Intervarsity champion finished 40th in his Stage 1 qualifier on the Asia Course, where 42 qualified behind Englishmen Reece Philips and Ollie Roberts.France’s Lambert Cochet won on the Asia course and James Adams on America course where Belgium's Nicholas Makhoul and France’s Mickaël Almeida could not be separated after seven playoff holes for the final spot and must return on Saturday at 9am.Scores

Darren Clarke rolls in a putt in Thailand

Darren Clarke is nine strokes behind Welshman Jamie Donaldson at the halfway stage of the Thailand Golf Championship.

The European Ryder Cup captain shot a one under 71 at Amata Spring Golf Club to get to four under par as Muskerry’s Niall Turner missed the level par cut by two shots after a 72.

Donaldson posted a four-under par 68 for a 13-under par aggregated of 131 and a two-shot advantage over Martin Kaymer of Germany, who shot a 65.

Spain’s Sergio Garcia also lived up to his billing as one of the pre-tournament favourites by signing for a 69 to stay within sights of Donaldson, trailing him by four shots together with Thailand’s Chinnarat Phadungsil and England’s Matthew Fitzpatrick on 135 total in tied-third place at the US$1 million Asian Tour event.

Donaldson had to battle temperatures of 35C and the 40-year-old was happy to make seven birdies against three bogeys.

“It can be tough out there and it’s important to get off to a good start,” he said. “You need to keep the momentum going and I managed to do that today. 

It was very hot and a case of trying to stay hydrated and not sweat too much on the ball.

“I’ve played well for the first two days. I dropped a couple of shots but I just got to keep doing what I’ve been doing. Overall, I’ve been playing nicely.”

Thailand Golf Championship Amata Spring GcC course (Par 72)

131 – Jamie DONALDSON (WAL) 63-68.

133 – Martin KAYMER (GER) 68-65.

135 – Matthew FITZPATRICK (ENG) 68-67, Sergio GARCIA (ESP) 66-69, Chinnarat PHADUNGSIL (THA) 66-69.

136 – Byeonghun AN (KOR) 69-67, Panuphol PITTAYARAT (THA) 70-66.

137 – Clement SORDET (FRA) 71-66.

138 – Sam BRAZEL (AUS) 70-68, Sunghoon KANG (KOR) 70-68.

139 – Joost LUITEN (NED) 69-70, Lee WESTWOOD (ENG) 71-68, Brett MUNSON (USA) 67-72, Phachara KHONGWATMAI (THA) 68-71, Matthew GILES (AUS) 69-70, Natipong SRITHONG (THA) 67-72, Jacques BLAAUW (RSA) 70-69, Chanat SAKULPOLPHAISAN (THA) 66-73.

140 – JIN Cheng (am, CHN) 73-67, Nicolas COLSAERTS (BEL) 70-70, Darren CLARKE (NIR) 69-71, David LIPSKY (USA) 73-67, Antonio LASCUNA (PHI) 73-67, Thongchai JAIDEE (THA) 73-67, Zander LOMBARD (RSA) 71-69, Jason KNUTZON (USA) 72-68, Berry HENSON (USA) 70-70.

Selected scores

141 – Kiradech APHIBARNRAT (THA) 69-72, S.S.P CHAWRASIA (IND) 72-69, Bubba WATSON (USA) 71-70

CUT

146 – Niall TURNER (IRL) 74-72

"Needed a bit of help to read the notices at Tiburon Golf Club, luckily they have some help to hand..." @FTShootout' Graeme McDowell sees the funny side.

Graeme McDowell and partner Gary Woodland opened with a 13 under 59 in the scramble format to share second spot behind Matt Kuchar and Harris English in the Franklin Templeton Shootout in Florida.

Kuchar and English posted a 14-under 58 at the Tiburon Golf Club leaving Billy Horschel-Hunter Mahan and McDowell-Woodland to settle for second with 59s on day one.

"Having Kooch as a backup guy is pretty good," English said. "I know if I mess up or I miss a putt, I wouldn't want anybody else hitting a shot or putting behind me."

Since being paired in 2013, Kuchar and English have gone 79 under in their seven rounds - an average of a little better than 11 under per round.

The format on Friday is modified alternate shot. 

EAMONN BRADY. PICTURE/GETTY

The "PGA in Ireland" threesome of Eamonn Brady, Damian Mooney and Brendan McGovern slipped to third behind Scotland and France with one round to go in the PGAs of Europe International Team Championship in Turkey.

The French and Scots top the leaderboard on 12 under par at Gloria Golf Resort with Ireland three shots behind on nine under par.

Scotland's Graham Fox leads the individual standings on 10 under par after posting a one under 71 on the Old Course in Thursday's third round.

Individual scores | Team scores

He leads by one stroke from Italy's Luca Beneduce (70) and Wales' Sion Bebb (67) with Clontarf professional Brady alone in fourth, two strokes behind the leader on eight under after a third round 71.

Brady dropped three shots in his first 11 holes but fought back with a birdie at the 12th and three more in a row from the 15th.

McGovern's 71 left him 11th on one over par while Mooney's 73 was discarded in the team contest, leaving him tied 23rd in the 68-strong individual field on six over par. 

Darren Clarke eagles the 15th at Amata Spring Country Club

European Ryder Cup skipper Darren Clarke got a front row seat as Gleneagles hero Jamie Donaldson opened with a nine-under-par 63 to take the first round lead at the Thailand Golf Championship at the Amata Spring Country Club on Thursday.

World No 587 Clarke, who is seeking his first Top 10 in a ranking event for more than two years, eagled the par-five 15th and had just 25 putts en route to a three under 69 and a share of 12th as Cork’s Niall Turner shot a 74 to share 84th.

Clarke could only look on in admiration as his Welsh playing partner compilted a flawless, nine-birdie round to lead the US$1 million Asian Tour event by three strokes from Thailand’s Chanat Sakulpolphaisan and Chinnarat Phadungsil and last week’s Ho Tram Open winner Sergio Garcia.

Donaldson, who is making his debut at the Thailand Golf Championship, stormed off the blocks with four straight birdies to turn in 32 before picking up further shots at the 10th, 14th, 15th, 17th and 18th.

“I played really good all day and I couldn’t really do anything wrong,” Donaldson said. “I just need to continue this form for the next few days and not concentrate on things that are out of my control or ahead of me. I just want to stay in the present as they say and take it one day at a time.”

Fresh off his victory in Vietnam last week, Garcia had eight birdies in his 66, six of them in a back nine of 31 that began with a bogey at the 10th.

The Spaniard said: “I’m definitely happy. It was wonderful back nine and I’m obviously delighted with shooting five-under there.

“I am feeling good. It hit some very good shots throughout the day and I feel like I’m in a good position going into the next day.”

The leading four players, who finish in the top 12 and ties and who are not already exempt, will earn a place in The Open from July 14 - 17, 2016. In the event of a tie, the qualifying place(s) will go to the player with the highest position in the Official World Golf Ranking at the commencement of the event.

Leading scores after round 1 of the Thailand Golf Championship being played at the par 72, 7498 Yards Amata Spring GcC course (am – denotes amateur):

63 – Jamie DONALDSON (WAL).

66 – Chanat SAKULPOLPHAISAN (THA), Sergio GARCIA (ESP), Chinnarat PHADUNGSIL (THA).

67 – Natipong SRITHONG (THA), Brett MUNSON (USA).

68 – Yusaku MIYAZATO (JPN), Matthew FITZPATRICK (ENG), Martin KAYMER (GER), Jbe KRUGER (RSA), Phachara KHONGWATMAI (THA).

69 – Byeonghun AN (KOR), Matthew GILES (AUS), Soomin LEE (KOR), Gaganjeet BHULLAR (IND), Sam CYR (USA), Pavit TANGKAMOLPRASERT (THA), Chikkarangappa S. (IND), Joost LUITEN (NED), Kiradech APHIBARNRAT (THA), Darren CLARKE (NIR), Angelo QUE (PHI).

70 – Panuphol PITTAYARAT (THA), Sunghoon KANG (KOR), Jacques BLAAUW (RSA), Berry HENSON (USA), Sattaya SUPUPRAMAI (THA), Mithun PERERA (SRI), Nicolas COLSAERTS (BEL), Rashid KHAN (IND), Sam BRAZEL (AUS), Shaun NORRIS (RSA).

Selected scores

71 – Lee WESTWOOD (ENG)

74 - Niall TURNER (IRL)

Royal Dublin amateur Jeff Hopkins had a good day at the Sunshine Tour Q-School on Thursday. Archive picture by Pat Cashman

Sunshine Tour — As Jeff Hopkins moved up, Tim Rice shot a level par 72 to fall from tied 10th to 21st after the third round of the Sunshine Tour Qualifying School in South Africa.

The 38-year old Limerick man started on the 10th at Schoeman Park Golf Club but after following an early bogey at the 11th with a birdie at the 13th and an eagle three at the 15th, he bogeyed the 17th and 18th to turn in level par and then made two birdies and two bogeys on his homeward nine.

Scores

At four under par, Rice is a shot inside the top 30 who will win Sunshine Tour cards after five rounds and five strokes inside the top 70 and ties who make the 72-hole cut on Friday.

Botswana's Stuart Smith fired his lowest round on the Sunshine Tour, a bogey-free 10-under-par 62 at Schoeman Park Golf Club, to lead by two strokes from South Africa's Bryandrew Roelofsz on 15 under par.

Royal Dublin amateur Hopkins shot a two under 70 at Schoeman Park to move up to tied 38th on two under, a shot outside the qualifying mark with clubmate Shaun Carter's 75 at Bloemfontein Golf Club leaving him tied 146th on eight over.

Northern Ireland's John McClean is tied 58th on level par after a 73 on the at Bloemfontein.

Golfer Paul McGinley receives a degree from @QueensUBelfast! Don't miss @UTVSport tonight #Golf #RyderCup2016 pic.twitter.com/5ajqAz5Qyx

— Denise Watson (@SportyNeesy) December 10, 2015 McGinley honoured by Queens UniversityQueens University — An honorary degree has been presented to golfer Paul McGinley at Queen’s University in Belfast.The Dublin-born former Ryder Cup captain was given the award on Thursday in recognition of his distinction in sport. McGinley said: “Queen's has a great sporting tradition and as one of the UK and Ireland's leading Universities they have always been at the forefront of sporting provision and opportunities. To receive this recognition from such a prestigious university is a considerable honour."Alps Tour Q-School

Alps Tour — Former Irish Intervarsity champion Declan Loftus had a day to forget in the first round of the Alps Tour Qualifying School at La Cala Resort in Spain.

Winner of the Irish title with Maynooth University in 2014, Loftus shot a nine over 81 on the Asia Course in his First Stage qualifier but is just three shots outside the top 41 who qualify for next week's final stage.

A field of 155 is balling over three courses at  La Cala Resort with England’s Ollie Roberts (68) leading on Europa  by two strokes from countryman Nick McCarthy.

On the Asia course, England’s James Adams and France’s Victor Perez, share the lead on 69 while at the America course, Scotland’s John Gallagher took a two-stroke lead thanks to three-under 69.

Scores

Ballyliffin Golf Club

Irish amateur golf is now an international game with as many as 49 overseas events included in the list of "main fixtures" provided by the Golfing Union of Ireland for 2016.

Irish golfers will not necessarily be sent to all events but with trips as far away as South Africa, the Dominican Republic, Peru and Australia listed for January alone, the cost is likely to be considerable.

As for the domestic scene and the list of events the GUI will be sending the World Amateur Golf Ranking officials for grading over the coming days, the blue riband is the AIG Irish Amateur Close, which will be played at Ballyliffin’s  Glashedy Links from August 16-20
 
The GUI writes: 

The Irish Close is visiting the Inishowen Peninsula for the first time. Slated for the end of May, the Close will run from 16-20 August.
 
Home to the Ladies' Irish Open in 1998 and the North West of Ireland Open in 2002, the last major amateur event to visit the Glashedy was the Interprovincial Championship 10 years ago.
 
ntrusted to renowned architects, Pat Ruddy and Tom Craddock, the Glashedy was only established in the mid-90s but it is hard to imagine a time when the course did not exist.
 
The course has been strengthened in recent years as Pat Ruddy returned to one of his favourite tracks. Through a strategic repositioning of bunkers, the sand traps are now more prominent.
 
The original course record was set back in 2002 by Scotland’s Andrew Coltart during the North West of Ireland Open and since Ruddy’s revamp in 2011, Belfast pro Peter Martin has added another 67. Ballyliffin will also host the Boys Home Internationals on the Glashedy Links from 2-4 August.
 
Meanwhile the Irish Boys Championship returns to Dublin in 2016. Castle Golf Club in Rathfarnham will welcome the island’s brightest young talents from 28 June to 1 July. Last year the title went abroad as French amateur Adrian Pendaries won at Tuam.
 
Royal Dublin is host to the GUI’s premier championship, the Irish Amateur Open, which returns to Dollymount from 5-8 May. Fota Island will host the Interprovincial Championship from 4-6 July while the Irish Youths visits Galway from 24-26 August. The dates for next year’s provincial championships have also been confirmed.
 
The season begins in earnest at the West of Ireland, which will run from 23-29 March at Co Sligo. The East of Ireland returns to Co Louth on 4-6 June while the North of Ireland runs from 11-15 July at Royal Portrush. Lahinch is the venue for the South of Ireland from 20-24 July.
 
For the third successive year the AIG Cups and Shields Finals will be played out at Carton House, running from 14-17 September with the Irish Mixed Foursomes Final takes place at Shandon Park in Belfast from 2-3 SeptemberThere is a new addition to the fixture list for 2016 with the addition of the GUI All Ireland Inter-Club Four Ball Championship. Open to all those aged over 30 on 1 January, the GUI All Ireland Inter-Club Four Ball Championship is limited to players with a handicap of 16 or more. Each team shall consist of 10 members, five pairs, and the minimum combined handicap for each pairing is 36.All matches will be played off scratch, similar to existing inter-club events like the AIG Pierce Purcell Shield and the AIG Jimmy Bruen Shield, which are played by foursomes.GUI "MAIN FIXTURES FOR 2016"JANUARY

13th-16th: Lake Macquarie Amateur Championship (Belmont)
12th-17th: Australian Amateur Championship (Metropolitan & Kingswood)
14th-17th: Latin American Amateur Championship (Dominican Republic)
21st-24th: South American Amateur Championship (Lima, Peru)
29thJan-2nd Feb: New South Wales Stroke Play & Match Play (TBA)

FEBRUARY

2nd-5th: South African Stroke Play (TBA)
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)

The power of mother nature can be incredible. Killarney Golf club still cut off after #StormDesmond @KillarneyGolf pic.twitter.com/kKsOikOB6V

— Killarney Pro Shop (@KillarneyPro) December 10, 2015

Winter storms frequently present us with unusual images of golf courses but Killarney Golf and Fishing Club's latest twitter post is a shocking. The famous resort on the shores of Lough Leane is now an island judging my the flooding caused by Storm Desmond in recent days. It's certainly more apt for fishing right now. Fingers crossed the damage can be repaired quickly.

@realdjfergo @googlemaps @TheEuropeHotel they aren't far wrong this morning on that one!! pic.twitter.com/qqKwXbAjGA

— Killarney Golf Club (@KillarneyGolf) December 6, 2015

Killarney Golf Club.... pic.twitter.com/l4aqvkmLiq

— Denis Doolan (@djdoolz) December 6, 2015

Severe conditions @KillarneyGolf @davekeatinggolf today#killeen1st pic.twitter.com/nWpzhWlhQb

— Killarney Pro Shop (@KillarneyPro) December 7, 2015

18th Hole Killeen this morning fairway gone #Desmond @KillarneyGolf @davekeatinggolf @dereek1969 @ronancreedon pic.twitter.com/YeMPFkhvTj

— Ian Cronin (@crowman1977) December 6, 2015

Post op Rory. Picture Rory McIlroy/Instagram

Rory McIlroy might be golf's tog dog (in Europe at least) but he's not averse to making fun of himself. It's not quite the dog cone that most mutts need after an operation but the world No 3 won't be scratching his eyes accidentally in his sleep after undergoing laser eye surgery on Wednesday.

Like many top players — Padraig Harrington had his eyes done several times — McIlroy is looking to make sure he can see as well as possible and so miss nothing on the greens. Whether it makes a difference or not, time will tell. But McIlroy is clearly not afraid to look silly on the internet, putting up an Instagram selfie of his eye protectors.

"Human version of the dreaded K-9 cone.... Only for sleeping though! Laser eye surgery went well yesterday," McIlroy wrote.

As for his latest award, McIlroy’s victory in the season-ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai – which helped secure a third Race to Dubai crown in four years – has earned the Northern Irishman the Hilton European Tour Golfer of the Month award for November. 

McIlroy’s affinity for Dubai, and in particular the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates, was once again in evidence as he edged a thrilling final round duel with Andy Sullivan to claim The European Tour’s season finale for the second time, following his victory in 2012, and with it the Harry Vardon Trophy.  

The World Number Three entered the last day with a one stroke deficit to Sullivan, but ultimately held off the Englishman’s challenge courtesy of a closing round of 66 which included a “career-best” bogey at the par three 17th hole where, after his tee shot had found the greenside lake, McIlroy maintained his lead in dramatic fashion with a putt from 30 feet.    

Human version of the dreaded K-9 cone.... Only for sleeping though! Laser eye surgery went well yesterday

Quarterback Tim Tebow in action during the pro-am. Picture: Michael O'Bryon

Victory alongside Gary Woodland in the 27th annual Franklin Templeton Shootout would make a sweet end to a rollercoaster 2015 for Graeme McDowell.

But the truth is that whatever he does in the 24-man, three-day pairs event  hosted by Australian legend Greg Norman at Tiburon Golf Club in Florida, it will be a bonus.

McDowell looked likely to end a disappointing year empty-handed until he opted to finish the year with back to back events on the 2015-16 PGA Tour schedule

It couldn’t have worked out better as he won last month’s OHL Classic at Mayakoba in Mexico in a playoff with Jason Bohn and Russell Knox and then finished third the following week's RSM Classic at Sea Island.

From 82nd in the world after the Turkish Airlines Open, he suddenly found himself close to the world’s top 50 again.

“I’m exiting with a lot more than I’d hoped for coming into these couple weeks,” said McDowell, who is 54th in the world this week and back in the ball game when it comes to Olympic Games and Ryder Cup qualification.

"My game has been in decent shape the last few months, but I came away from Turkey, my last event in Europe, with not a lot to show for myself.

"I kept kind of throwing it away on the weekends despite the fact that I knew I was starting to sort of building some confidence and momentum. Gives me something to really take into the off-season, something to build on in the new year."

McDowell missed the cut in four of his final six US PGA events last season, including the US Open and PGA Championship and the Canadian Open in July.

"That was kind of one of the times the boat kind of hit rock bottom. It has been a long road back from there," said McDowell.

"I've been working really hard. This has been a result of some confidence building the last couple months, some good playing, some good technical kind of work, and great to be back competing again."

Bloemfontein Golf Club

Sunshine Tour — Limerick’s Tim Rice inside the crucial top 30 after the second round of the 90-hole Sunshine Tour Qualifying School in South Africa.

The former Irish international followed his one under 71 at Bloemfontein Golf Club with a three under 69 at Schoeman Park to share 10th place on four under par, two strokes inside the Top 30 who will win Sunshine Tour cards.

Scores

Rice, 38, is one of four Irishmen in a field of 272 who must play two rounds at each venue with the top 60 players and ties making the cut for the final round.

Northern Ireland’s John McClean is tied 43rd on one-under after rounds of 70 and 73 with Royal Dublin amateurs Jeff Hopkins and Shaun Carter tied 55th and 135th respectively.

Hopkins followed his first round 71 at Bloemfontein with a one over 73 at Schoeman Park while Connacht interprovincial Carter was three over playing the last at Bloemfontein and took a triple bogey seven for a 77 that left him on five over.

Portugal’s Antonio Rosado shares top spot on eight-under par with England’s Johnny Evans and South African Andre de Decker, one stroke clear of Bryandrew Roelofsz and Michael Palmer.

Loftus tees it up at Alps Tour Q-SchoolAlps Tour — Former Irish Intervarsity champion Declan Loftus is the lone Irishman at Stage One of the Alps Tour Q-School in Spain.Winner of the Irish title in 2014, Loftus is one of 155 players set to tee it up at La Cala near Malaga hoping to earn one of the 93 spots at next week’s Second Stage where David Carey and amateurs Tommy O’Driscoll and Kevin LeBlanc are already entered.Loftus tees it up on the Asia Course where the there will be 41 spots for the 72-man field. Players on he Europa course will play for 30 spots with 22 available from the America Course.Scores/entry lists

Gloria Golf Resort

Ireland trail defending champions Scotland by a shot at halfway at the PGAs of Europe International Team Championship in Turkey with Clontarf’s Eamonn Brady tied second in individual event.

The former West of Ireland winner, 41, posted a four under 68 on the Old Course at Gloria Golf Club in Belek to move to within two shots of Scotland’s Graham Fox on seven under par.

The Clontarf professional came home in four under par 33 to end the day tied wit Italy’s Luca Beneduce. 

• Team
• Individual

Headfort’s Brendan McGovern, 50, signed for a discarded, three over 75 to share 14th on two over while 47-year old Damian Mooney’s 73 left him tied 22nd in the 68-man field on five over par.

With 23 nations competing, the Irish trio are hoping to improve on last year’s showing when they were beaten by 10 strokes by champions Scotland.

The best two scores count each day and Scotland’s David Orr, Gareth Wright and Fox lead the Irish by one stroke on eight under 280 with two rounds to go.

“We’re halfway there but things can change very quickly in tournaments like this,” said Fox. “The course suits my game. It’s tight and even if you drive the ball well you can still be blocked out.

"It definitely rewards the good shots.“The Old Course is much tougher than the New one but, as was the case last year, it’s in brilliant condition.”

GB&I playing captain Garth McGimpsey with Jack Nicklaus and Tony Jacklin during the 2014 Concession Cup

Eight Irishmen have been named in skipper Garth McGimpsey’s 18-man Great Britain and Ireland side to face the USA in the second edition of the biennial Concession Cup at The Concession Golf Club in Florida from April 19 – 23 next year. 

That the eight do not include 44-year old Pat Murray, winner of the Munster and Connacht Mid-Amateur titles this season, is something of a surprise given his form, his record and his experience.

For those unfamiliar with the event, the organisers say it is "designed to celebrate the game through international competition while giving back to worthy causes. The event is a biennial team competition played between teams comprised of leading male Mid-Amateurs, Senior-Amateurs and Senior Amateurs - age 65+ from the United States and Great Britain and Ireland."

However, the mid-amateur age limit is the US is just 25 and older (compared to 35 and older in Ireland). Under those rules, Knock’s Colin Fairweather, the South of Ireland runner-up, qualified automatically as a mid-amateur with former East of Ireland winner Colm Campbell a captain’s pick.

Both were members of the victorious Ireland team in the Home Internationals at Royal Portrush this year and both finished ahead of Murray in the Willie Gill Order of Merit.

Portmarnock's Geoff Lenehan (426th in the WAGR) was also a contender for a spot and can feel hard done by as he is ranked ahead of captain's picks Campbell (453rd), Mike Hearne (543rd), John Kemp (3,522nd) and Edward Richardson (1,036th)

Seniors Tom Cleary and Adrian Morrow and over 65s, Nigel Duke and Maurice Kelly qualified automatically while McGimpsey’s other “captain’s picks” were himself, mid-amateurs Campbell, Hearne, Hemp and Richardson; and seniors Ronnie Clark, Stephen East and Arthur Pierse.

According to the Concession Cup website, “the selection process for the GB&I team was lead by a special committee with consideration given to the Orders of Merit of the four relevant golfing unions in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. 

"Also taken into consideration were the European Team Championships, European Individual Championship, British Seniors Open and The Home Internationals. Additionally, the team includes four captain’s picks for both mid-amateur (25 and over) and senior-amateur (55 and over) categories, provided by returning GB&I team captain, McGimpsey...."Players will compete over three days through the traditional team match-play formats of foursome, fourball and singles. Each team will be comprised of 18 players separated into three categories: eight (8) Mid-Amateur members (age 25 to 54), eight (8) Senior Amateur members age 55 and older and two (2) Senior Amateur members age 65 and older."

McGimpsey said: “The Concession Cup has quickly become a favourite event among our eligible amateurs and a genuine source of pride to be selected to the team. 

“We have assembled a strong squad to represent Great Britain and Ireland in 2016 and are all eager to come together in the truest spirit of international competition and battle the U.S. for the Sir Michael Bonallack and William Campbell Trophy.”

According to the organisers returning captain Vinny Giles and the Amateur Golf Alliance (AGA), a newly formed organisation established to conduct The Concession Cup matches as well as other events in an effort to promote the amateur game at the highest level of competition, used differing criteria to select the US team.

"The U.S. Team includes a combination of spots earned through the World Amateur Golf Ranking™ (WAGR™), as well as AGA selections, based on a list of criteria that includes results from top amateur tournaments and career performance and accomplishments. The four highest ranked U.S. mid-amateurs and senior-amateurs within the WAGR™ earned automatic spots on the team.  All automatic bids for the 2016 U.S. Concession Cup Team were determined on October 15, 2015.”

GB&I Team Mid-Amateur (25-54)    

• Colm Campbell (CP)    
• Matthew Clark
• Colin Fairweather
• Barry Hume    
• Mike Hearne (CP)        
• John Kemp (CP)        
• Edward Richardson (CP)        
• Ben Westgate        

Senior-Amateurs (55 and over)

• Ronnie Clark (CP)
• Tom Cleary
• Stephen East (CP)
• David Gardner    
• Garth McGimpsey* (CP)
• Adrian Morrow
• Richard Partridge
• Arthur Pierse (CP)

Over 65s

• Nigel Duke
• Maurice Kelly

 (CP) Denotes Captain’s Pick
 * Denotes Playing Captian

U.S. TeamMid-Amateur (age 25 to 54)

• Scott Harvey (1)
• Mike McCoy (2)
• Joe Alfieri (3)
• Todd White (4)
• Patrick Christovich
• Tim Jackson
• Sammy Schmitz
• Nathan Smith

Senior-Amateurs  (55 and Over)

• Doug Hanzel (1)    
• Brady Exber (2)
• Bob Kearney (3)    
• Jack Hall (4)    
• Chip Lutz    
• Bryan Norton
• Paul Simson
• Pat Tallent

Over 65s

• Vinny Giles (Captain)
• Jim Holtgrieve

The U.S. Team won the inaugural Concession Cup title in 2014, capturing the Sir Michael Bonallack and William Campbell Trophy 21 ½ to 14 ½ over the GB&I Team.

Shane Lowry receiving his award from the Irish Youth Foundation

Shane Lowry reckons that “something special could happen” if he gets into contention at one of the four majors next year.

The popular Clara man, 28, pulled the curtain down on a stellar 2015 season on Sunday and headed straight from the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa to the Irish Youth Foundation’s Excellence in Sports Awards gala in Dublin last night.

Host Pádraig Harrington presented Lowry with a Waterford Crystal designed Special Achievement Award at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Ballsbridge in recognition of his  breakthrough victory in the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Akron in August.

Alternative Sport Award winner @GregCallaghan1 @IYFcharity #sportsexcellenceawards pic.twitter.com/5TOoF67yy7

— Roisin O'Hea (@RoisinOHea) December 7, 2015

It was a win that catapulted the former Irish Open and Portugal Masters champion to the next level in the game but the world No 21 is keen to take another big step in 2016, targeting another victory (or two) and a place in Darren Clarke’s European Ryder Cup team.

“I’ve been on tour for almost seven years now and I feel like I am getting better and better every year,” Lowry told presenter Joanne Cantwell. “As Padraig Harrington will tell you, to win the big tournaments and obviously the majors is No 1 goal. Next comes the WGCs and to win one of those for me this year was massive. 

“One of my goals at the start of the year was to win any tournament. I had won twice before this year  — once as a pro and once as an amateur. So to win that tournament has kind of kick-started the second part of my career and hopefully I will kick on from here.” 

Knowing he can compete against the best and beat them was huge for Lowry, who admitted that he needed that boost to his confidence.

25 years in #italia90 Reeling Back the Years Award goes to the man who scored 'that' goal #davidoleary @iyfcharity pic.twitter.com/cUb457lsG8

— Roisin O'Hea (@RoisinOHea) December 7, 2015

Lowry said: “The guys I beat that day - you look back and it was pretty big with Bubba Watson, Jim Furyk and Justin Rose breathing down my neck the whole day. To shoot  the score I did that day….”

“A 66…”

“I didn’t even know what it was. To shoot that score with no bogeys that day was massive. It was massive for me just to get the bit of confidence that I think I need to kick on and hopefully do bigger and better things in the coming years. 

“That’s what it’s all about (beating the best). Pádraig has got three majors and we all know the majors is where it's at. And to compete in majors you have got to feel that you can beat the best and I really feel like I beat the best that week.

"And I really feel like I can go on now and hopefully set my target as competing in the majors firstly and trying to get in contention next year. You never know. If I can get into contention and get lucky one Sunday, something special could happen.”

Asked if Harrington was always “banging on about the two Opens and the PGA,” Lowry joked: “Yeah. He never shuts up about them.

Very proud of #TeamIrlEq @Investec_Sport Aga Khan team awarded outstanding team achievement @IYFcharity awards pic.twitter.com/y0OHGggIzG

— Team IRL Equestrian (@TeamIRLEq) December 7, 2015

“Myself and Padraig play a lot of chipping competitions for a few quid around chipping greens and he chipped in in Switzerland about a year and a half ago and it was quite similar fist pump to the one he did in the US PGA. So to be honest for me it is great to have someone like Pádraig around. 

“When I was a young lad, I looked to someone like Padraig (“Young lad. You are after rubbing it in…”) But to be able to learn from Pádraig is great for me and to be able to feed off someone like that, to see what he did this year, people in Ireland are fairly quick to forget what Pádraig did during his career and to win three majors is a fairly big deal and I think people forget that. To be able to knock around with someone like that and learn from them is great for me and gives me a lot of help.”  

Assessing his poor end of year performances in his last four starts, he said: “I struggled towards the end of the year. I came back and finished second in the British Masters, which I felt I should have won. 

“I played in Turkey and top tenned it there, which was ok. The last few weeks haven’t been great but that’s golf. Golf is a funny game sometimes and I felt like things were going really well and I was playing quite well but certain parts of my game let me down over the last few weeks. 

“But I am going to sit back and reflect on a great year and enjoy it over Christmas and  start then working towards getting ready for 2016 and hopefully some bigger and better things to come.”

At the @IYFcharity excellence in sport awards the outstanding lifetime achievement goes to AP McCoy. pic.twitter.com/4mtbMrk30H

— Team IRL Equestrian (@TeamIRLEq) December 7, 2015

Asked about his goals and whether he writes then down, he beamed: “To be honest I just hope for the best. I am not one to set down targets.

"I have my coach and my caddie and a few others that help me along the way. We look at things that we want to do and next year for me the big thing is the Ryder Cup and if I can play in the Ryder Cup, that would be great for me. 

“Next year I am going to need some good things to happen along the way so that is one goal. I don’t really have goals as such. I just go with the flow and hope for the best.”

Lowry’s Bridgestone win didn’t count for Ryder Cup qualification, but he added: “The points started in September sometime so the big thing is to play well in the big tournaments next year and hopefully I can make that team on merit. As a rookie, you kid of need to make that team on merit so I will have to play well at the right times next year and hopefully win a big tournament again or maybe a couple and you never know.”

Event host Harrington received a Achievement Award award for comeback win at the Honda Classic while Christy O’Connor Jnr won the Golf Digest Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to Irish golf – which included 17 professional wins and two Ryder Cup appearances

Michael Conlan’s heroics in Doha, which saw him win Ireland’s first-ever gold medal at the men’s World Boxing Championships, were rewarded with an outstanding achievement award.

Great night @IYFcharity sports awards with Paralympian Peter Ryan, @apmccoy @ShaneLowryGolf and host Joanne Cantwell pic.twitter.com/fYhuFN5aH0

— paul hayes (@paulhayesman) December 8, 2015

AP McCoy, who this year retired after riding 4,358 winners and being named champion jockey 20 years in a row, also received a lifetime achievement award.

The Irish Special Olympics team, the Irish showjumping team and the Irish men’s rugby team won the three team awards on the evening while international mountain biker Greg Callaghan won the alternative sport award.

With the 25th anniversary of Italia ’90 being remembered during the summer, the Irish team from that World Cup won the Reeling Back the Years Award.

The awards are held in aid of the Irish Youth Foundation, which supports vulnerable children and young people living in disadvantaged circumstances around the country.

Great to see @SOIreland athletes honoured at the @IYFcharity #IYFSports Awards last night. pic.twitter.com/mzZwNOaTfc

— Brian Keogh (@IrishGolfDesk) December 8, 2015 Irish Youth Foundation, Excellence in Sport Awards 2015 

• Outstanding Achievement – Michael Conlan
• Outstanding Team Achievement -  Irish Show Jumping Team
• Golf Digest Lifetime Achievement Award - Christy O’Connor Jnr
• Outstanding Team Achievement - Special Olympics Team Ireland
• Alternative Sport – Greg Callaghan
• Reeling Back the Years Award - Irish Soccer Team Italia ’90
• Outstanding Team Achievement - Irish Rugby Team
• Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award - AP McCoy
• Outstanding Achievement - Shane Lowry
• Padraig Harrington – Outstanding Achievement for his win at the Honda Classic

Ian Poulter celebrates in the Ryder Cup. Picture: Getty Images

In the end Darren Clarke opted to complete his Eurasia Cup team with Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood as captain’s picks, leaving Padraig Harrington free to add the Sony Open in Hawaii to his 2016 schedule.

The Dungannon man wanted experience for his European side to take on Asian in the EurAsia Cup presented by DRB-HICOM at Glenmarie Golf and Country Club in Malaysia from January 15-17.

But while Harrington indicated earlier this month via Twitter than his fitness would not be a problem after undergoing an operation on his right knee on November 26 — “I could play tomorrow” he wrote, tweeting a picture of him in the cryotherapy unit in his garage — his former Ryder Cup team mate went another way.

Knee op recovery is going great,I could already play if I had to.It helps to have a cryotherapy unit in your garage pic.twitter.com/SW4AF4oIq5

— Padraig Harrington (@padraig_h) November 30, 2015

The English duo of Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood complete the 12-man European team for the second edition of the EurAsia Cup, which ended in a thrilling 10-10 draw at Glenmarie in 2014.

According to the European Tour:

Poulter and Westwood will be making their EurAsia Cup debuts next January, but the pair will bring with them a wealth of Ryder Cup experience, having amassed a grand total of 36 points from a combined 14 appearances in the biennial match between Europe and the USA.  Clarke said: “I am thrilled to announce Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood as my Captain’s picks for the EurAsia Cup presented by DRB-HICOM. We have a very young and exciting team heading to Malaysia in January, and to add the vast experience of Ian and Lee into the mix gives us a very strong and balanced side as we look to take the EurAsia Cup trophy back to Europe.“Having played in a total of 14 Ryder Cups, Ian and Lee have proven themselves two of the most fearsome match players in the game and  their presence in the team room and their ability to share their vast knowledge of the European team environment will be hugely important for us in Malaysia. "They have seen and done it all in terms of Ryder Cups and team golf, so I am delighted they have joined the EurAsia Cup cause. We are going to Glenmarie to win that trophy and Ian and Lee can play a massive role for us in Kuala Lumpur.”

2016 EurAsia Cup captains Darren-Clarke and Jeev Milkha Singh. Picture via www.eurasiacup.com

Poulter, the European talisman who inspired that unforgettable victory in the ‘Miracle at Medinah’ in 2012 by winning four out of four matches, said: “I don’t think it’s a secret how much I love playing match play golf and representing Europe, so it was an easy decision for me to make when Darren asked me to join his team for the EurAsia Cup presented by DRB-HICOM.“I am looking forward to it. It will be the perfect way to start the year and I hope that my experience can help both on and off the course. Playing for my team mates, Captain and the Continent of Europe brings a different level of intensity to golf for me and I can’t wait to feel that buzz again.”Westwood, meanwhile, has been an ever-present for Europe since making his Ryder Cup debut in 1997, securing a total of 23 points to sit in fourth place in the all-time point scorers list behind Sir Nick Faldo (25), Bernhard Langer (24) and Colin Montgomerie (23.5). Westwood delivered two points for Europe in 2014 to overtake the great Seve Ballesteros (22.5) on the all-time scorers list.   He said: “I didn’t have to think much about the decision when Darren gave me the call. As players we all feel very proud to represent Europe, be it in the Ryder Cup or in this case the EurAsia Cup presented by DRB-HICOM, so I am very pleased that Darren has put his faith in me to be one of his Captain’s picks.“I’ve had a fair amount of success in Malaysia over the years – I have won the Malaysian Open twice – so hopefully I can keep that form going and help Darren and the team get the result we want down there. Myself and Poults will definitely bring a lot of experience to the team room as well, so hopefully we’ll have a positive influence and can play our part in winning the EurAsia Cup.”The inclusion of Poulter and Westwood takes the number of players with Ryder Cup experience in Clarke’s side to four, with Frenchman Victor Dubuisson – who dazzled on his debut at Gleneagles last year – and 2010 team member Ross Fisher of England having also tasted success in the biennial contest between Europe and the United States.That quartet will be joined in Kuala Lumpur by Sweden’s Kristoffer Broberg, the English quartet of Matthew Fitzpatrick, Andy Sullivan, Danny Willett and Chris Wood, Dane Søren Kjeldsen, Ireland’s Shane Lowry and Austrian Bernd Wiesberger.         Team Asia, captained by Jeev Milkha Singh of India, will name its 12-man team on December 15 following the conclusion of the Thailand Golf Championship.

A future Ryder Cup (or Eurasia Cup) captaincy candidate, Harrington was a vice-captain for Paul McGinley in the 2014 Ryder Cup and would be keen to do the job again next year at Hazeltine, if he fails to make Clarke's team as a player.

The 44-year old Dublin will begin his 2016 campaign in Hawaii from January 7-10 when he tees it up for the first time in the .Hyundai Tournament of Champions at Kapalua following his win in this year's Honda Classic.

Marc Leishman. Picture: Getty Images

Shane Lowry lost none of his good humour despite ending his breakout season with a 75 in the Nedbank Golf Challenge.

As Australian Marc Leishman cruised to a brilliant victory with an impressive five under par 67, Lowry mixed four birdies with three bogeys and two double bogeys in a three over effort to tie for 25th on two over par.

That left him 21 shots adrift of 32-year old Leishman, who had a trying year of lows beginning with the illness to his wife that forced him to withdraw from the Masters, to the death of an uncle and his playoff defeat in The Open.

As the European Tour reported:

But, having taken a one shot lead into the last round at Gary Player Country Club in Sun City, he produced a wonderful back nine to hold off world No 7 Henrik Stenson and win by six strokes with a 19 under par total, afterwards saying the US$1.25million first prize will help pay for his new house in Australia.Stenson, who was bed-bound with a virus in the build-up to the event, closed with a level par 72, while Englishman Chris Wood rose into third place with a 68.

Despite his poor end to the year, Lowry took to Twitter to express his satisfaction with his rise to world No 21 and his maiden PGA Tour win at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Akron in August.

That's 2015 done and dusted. Thanks to everyone for your support. What a year it's been. Buzzing to get home for Xmas

Ho Tram, Vietnam. Sergio Garcia of Spain with the Ho Tram Open trophy. Photo by Khalid Redza/ Asiantour

Niall Kearney more than doubled his Asian Tour earnings with an immaculate final round 68 as world No 12 Sergio Garcia prevailed in a four-way play-off to win in the inaugural US$1.5 million Ho Tram Open in Vietnam.

The 35-year-old Spaniard holed a huge putt to stay alive at the first extra hole and then parred the second at The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip to pip a courageous Himmat Rai of India after Chinese Taipei’s Lin Wen-tang and Thai veteran Thaworn Wiratchant had bowed out earlier in the richest full-field Asian Tour tournament this season.

Garcia’s 23rd career Tour victory and his first since January, 2014 came with a cheque for US$270,000 while Kearney made $8,775 and moved to 110th in the Order of Merit with $16,878 from eight events as his 68 left him tied for 41st on level par 284.

“Winning is never easy,” said Garcia, who closed with a three-under par 68 for a 14-under-par 270 aggregate. "I was fortunate and you have to be lucky to win. I was fortunate to get a second chance after I pretty much gave it away. I’m very happy as I haven’t won in a while. 

“After you’ve been up there and you don’t win, a lot of things go through your mind and this win will help give me a little bit more confidence. 

Starting the day two back of overnight leader Lin, Garcia stormed out with a stunning outward 29 to open up a three-shot lead before his game surprisingly unravelled with a bogey on 10 and a double bogey on 17.

Thaworn and Rai came home in 67s while Lin scrambled to a 70 to force extra-time which left spectators at the edge of their seats as they awaited to hail the Ho Tram Open’s first ever champion.

On the first extra hole on 18, Garcia, who has now won five Asian Tour titles, drained a massive 35-foot birdie putt which was matched by Rai, who coolly converted from five feet after Lin and Thaworn missed their birdie attempts.

The Spaniard then claimed a popular victory with a par after Rai dropped a bogey after finding the bushes with an errant drive.

“It was a strange day. It felt like I was so much under control, the way I played the front nine. Then I hit a bad tee shot on 10 but I still managed to get it back together and had some chances which I didn’t make. Then I hit a poor shot on 17,” said Garcia.

“I guess they gave me a hat in my hand, I gave it away and they gave me another chance. It was just luck for me. I had 30 to 35 feet (in the first play-off hole), and even if you hit a great putt, you need to get lucky. Then I managed to get to the next hole and unfortunately Rai pulled it a bit left into the bushes and I managed to make four and that was it.”

Rai, whose lone Asian Tour victory came in 2011, charged into contention with a birdie, birdie, eagle run from the 14th hole but rued a three-putt bogey on 18 in regulation play which proved costly.

However, the 28-year-old Indian took comfort that his joint runner-up cheque of US$111,500 was more than enough to safely secure his Tour card for next season after starting the week in 116th place on the Order of Merit.

“I enjoyed it because I played really good. On the second play-off hole, I just rushed it. I wasn’t feeling comfortable with my grip and I should have backed off. I was a little bit disappointed,” said Rai.

“I was showing signs of improvement this year. The game was there. It was about putting it together and I’m so glad I did it this week. Thank God, it has all worked out and I have an Asian Tour card for next year. It was looking very bleak.”

Ho Tram, Vietnam 6 December 2015 -Sergio Garcia of Spain in action during round four of the Ho Tram Open. Photo by Khalid Redza/ Asiantour

Unorthodox swinging Thaworn, who played alongside Garcia in the final round, was disappointed his birdie attempt from 10 feet in the first extra hole agonisingly hit the edge of the cup. “My putt was against the wind and I knew I had to putt it a bit harder but it was probably too hard. It was a good line,” said the 49-year-old, who was chasing a 19th Asian Tour title.

Lin felt his three-putt bogey on 17 blew his chances of winning a seventh Asian Tour title.

 “I missed too many short birdie putts. Then I three-putted on the 17th hole and I think that’s the turning point. In the play-off, I was stupid. I put too much power in my swing and hit my tee shot into the right sand dune. I had a crazy lie,” said the man from Taipei.

Ho Tram Open, The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip (Par 71, 6,797 Yards)

270 – Sergio GARCIA (ESP) 66-68-68-68, Himmat RAI (IND) 66-69-68-67, Thaworn WIRATCHANT (THA) 64-71-68-67, LIN Wen-tang (TPE) 65-67-68-70.

(Garcia won with a par on the second play-off hole)

271 – Thomas BJORN (DEN) 69-70-68-64.

273 – Sam CYR (USA) 69-69-70-65, Shaun NORRIS (RSA) 66-71-65-71.

274 – Sunghoon KANG (KOR) 72-68-67-67.

275 – Chawalit PLAPHOL (THA) 68-67-72-68, Terry PILKADARIS (AUS) 71-67-69-68, Paul PETERSON (USA) 66-70-68-71.

276 – Nicholas FUNG (MAS) 65-70-72-69, Charlie WI (KOR) 62-72-72-70.

277 – Jeunghun WANG (KOR) 75-67-70-65, Prom MEESAWAT (THA) 69-71-68-69, Geoff OGILVY (AUS) 69-70-67-71.

284 – Niall KEARNEY (IRL) 70-72-74-68.