Irish Golf News

Rory McIlroy

Rory McIlroy wielded a hot putter and a straighter driver but he admits he has his work cut out to catch an impressive Jason Day in the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill.

Less than 24 hours after being struck by a case of the “lefts” off the tee and opening with a three over 75, the world No 2 had one of his best ever days with the putter and made six birdies in a five under 67 to make the cut with ease on two under par.

The bad news for the Co Down man is that world No 3 Day added an immaculate, seven under par 65 to his opening 66 to lead by two stokes from on 13 under par from Henrik Stenson (66) and by three from Justin Rose (66) as Graeme McDowell made four bogeys in his last eight holes for a 76 to miss the cut on three over par.

“I needed to go and do something,” said McIlroy, who is a daunting 11 stokes behind Day. “Yesterday was the worst I've driven the ball in a long, long time. I just couldn't hit a fairway. Hitting those tee shots left, it was a bit of a shock to me.

“I needed to try to straight things out on the range last night and was able to do that somewhat. I just sort of figured out that my angle was left at impact. 

"I've been trying to move the ball up in my stance with the driver and the face was closing a little bit and even if you’re swinging well, hitting it at that speed, there's no way it's going to come back. That's where the lefts were coming from.”

While he hit nine of 14 fairways compared to just four on Thursday, McIlroy also had the fifth best day of his PGA Tour career on the greens, holing more than 142 feet worth of putts in just his sixth round with the cack-handed grip.

Six of those putts measured between 11ft and 33 feet and while five of them for birdies, the 11-stroke gap with Day means he may have to successful defend the WGC-Dell Match Play in Texas next week to go to Augusta with a 2016 victory under his belt.

The positive news is that he has two more strokeplay rounds to sharpen his game before the start of the Masters in 19 days’ time and having missed the cut in the Honda Classic two weeks ago, he didn’t want another weekend off.

“You don't want to miss the cut here," he said. “The main objective was to get two more rounds in and hopefully I can play well over the weekend.”

McIlroy felt after the Pro-Am that a 12-under par total would be enough to win the title and took his hat off to Day’s 13 under par halfway total.

“Even playing well I’m not sure that’s quite going to be enough, I’m that far behind Jason,” he said of his chances of winning from tied 43rd at halfway. “At the same time I can get confidence from that and bring it on to the next week and ultimately into the Masters.”

Rory McIlroy

Rory McIlroy suffered a dose of the Bay Hill Blues in the Arnold Palmer Invitational and now faces a struggle to make the cut and get his game sharp with just 20 days to go to the Masters.

Having closed with a two over 74 to lose the WGC-Cadillac Championship last week, the world No 2 posed more question marks about his game when he hit just four fairways and only eight greens in regulation, finding water three times as he made two double bogeys and opened with a three over par 75 in Orlando.

Ironically given his occasional struggles with the blade, it was his putting that saved him from a more damaging score as he holed four par putts of between eight and 25 feet and still ended the day tied for 107th and three shots outside the projected cut mark.

To add to the sensation that he's well short of the form required to win the Masters, he's  nine strokes behind world No 3 Jason Day, who made an eagle and six birdies in a 66 to lead by one from fellow Australians Adam Scott and Marc Leishman, Sweden’s Henrik Stenson and Americans Brendan Steele and Troy Merrit.

Wearing green, presumably to make St Patrick’s day, there was no Irish luck for the Holywood star, who drove out of bound at the first and opened with a double bogey six — the first of a series of shots that went left, leading to over correction and further misses to the right.

"I kept missing shots left and I tried to correct it too much and then I started missing them right," McIlroy said before heading to the range. "I need to go on to the range and work on it a little bit and see if I can figure it out.

"Felt like I grinded okay there and I scrambled a good about it. I had some good things on the back-9. It probably could have been a few worse. I end up shooting this."

The tee shot that went left on the first was shock to the system and McIlroy never really recovered though he showed plenty of fight.

"I get some good work done on the range tonight and come out tomorrow and play a good round of golf to get myself into the red numbers, at least I'll be here for the weekend, I can make a charge," he said in typically bullish fashion.

Had he not got up and down from 200 yards for par at the third, hitting four iron to 18 feet after driving into the lake, he might have left himself even more to do to make the cut today.

A brilliant, two-putt birdie at the sixth got him back on track but he then came up short in water with his approach to the eighth and made another double bogey after a seven footer slipped by.

He needed to hole a 25 footer for par at the ninth after another wayward tee shot just to turn in 39.

And while he missed a few putts on the back nine, it was the blade that saved him from an even more gory fate.

After holing an eight footer for par at the 11th and then clawing a shot back with a tidy, chip and putt birdie at the 12th, he found sand off the tee and then through the back of the green at the 13th and bogeyed again.

He had to hole a 15 footer for par at the 215-yard 14th just to remain at three over. But look on the Ulsterman’s face clearly showed that he was praying to get home without doing further damage.

A hooked approach to the par-five 16th ended up in water once more but the got up and down from 77 yards for his par-five, holing a good six or seven footer.

"Only 212 to the front of the green," McIlroy said of the four iron shot that ended up wet. "I'm starting at the right hand bunker, 20, 25 yards right of the pin. If it turns it turns, great. If it doesn't I'll either be in the front bunker and have a lot of room to work for my up and down for birdie. The thing started on a good line. Turned so much. Obviously. 

"[It was a] 4-iron. I get so much under it and went with the slope. I haven't hit a shot like that in a long time. Again, it's a matter of getting on the range and working on it."

It’s far to early for panic but McIlroy will be looking to play four rounds in Orlando with just the WGC-Dell Match Play defence to go before Augusta.

While Day was brilliant and Scott scrambled well to shoot a five under 67, Graeme McDowell struggled to hit greens but chiseled out a one under 71 that could have been even better had it not been for an ugly, double bogey seven just four holes from home.

The 2010 US Open winner birdied the 10th and then followed a three-putt bogey at the 15th with a two-putt birdie at the par-five 16th and another at the tough 18th, courtesy of a 176-yard approach to just seven feet.

Out in two under, the 36-year old from Portrush found water off the tee at the third and dropped a shot but he birdied the par-five fourth and then drained a 36 footer at the fifth to move into the top 15 before his daring, 257-yard approach to  555-yard par-five sixth ended up in the lake and he made a double bogey.

Seamus Power speaks to the media in Louisiana after his 64

West Waterford's Seamus Power was in inspired form on St Patrick's Day, opening with an immaculate seven under 64 in the Chitimacha Louisiana Open on the Web,com Tour.

The 29-year old former East Tennessee State star is tied for third with South Africa's Dawie van der Walt, just a shot behind Americans Ryan Armor and JJ Spaun, who posted eight under 63s at Le Triomphe Golf and Country Club in Broussard. 

"It was great, the luck was on my side," Power told the Web.com Tour on Periscope. 

Asked if he was planning a trip home soon, he said: "I will squeeze in a trip home. Maybe if I can get in the Irish Open. I'll give a little shout out to Rory McIlroy and see if he can get me in."

Power and McIlroy played amateur golf together

Could be a handy one for a few people today!! Happy St Patrick's Day! pic.twitter.com/TfRieivG17

— Seamus Power (@Power4Seamus) March 17, 2016

Power has enjoyed a mixed start to his second season on the PGA Tour's second tier circuit, making one cut from the first two events for 79th place in the rankings that awards 25 PGA Tour cards to the top money winners.

Power was 25th in the Louisiana event 12 months ago, as he finished 67th in the money list in his rookie year with two Top 10s and eight Top 25s from his 24 starts.

Ten missed cuts cost him a chance of promotion to the PGA Tour and he'll be looking for a win to improve his chances of finishing near the top of the money list.

Scores

Anirban Lahiri. Picture: Getty Images

European Tour — Padraig Harrington confessed that he needs to adopt a more conservative approach to avoid of the tee if he is to challenge for the Hero Indian Open in New Delhi.

The 44-year old opened with a one under 71 a Delhi Golf Club and trails leader Daniel Im by six shots in a share of 40th with Michael Hoey tied 54th after a 72 and Paul Dunne 93rd after a two over 74.

“I enjoyed it,” Harrington said after three bogeys and four birdies. "It is a great course because it puts you under pressure all the way through. It is a good test of golf.

"I created problems on the greens. I could see at times I was a bit aggressive on a few tee boxes and got away with that. I might need to be a little bit more conservative for the next few rounds.”

Harrington was two under through 10 holes but finished with a bogey at the ninth at the tight Delhi course where many players opt for fairway woods off the tee to remain in play.

“I played better than my score especially early in my round,” Harrington said after hitting just seven of 14 fairways.

"Finishing with a bogey isn’t a great thing. I would have been happier if I was three or four-under. 

"That’s where I felt I should have been. That’s the game. We have another 54 holes to go so it is steady start but nothing too spectacular.”

Defending champion Anirban Lahiri produced a sparkling finish of four consecutive birdies for an opening 68 to trail by three.

American Im’s seven under opening total came after a flawless performance gave the 30-year old Qualifying School graduate a one-shot lead over Thailand’s Prom Meesawat and the Spanish duo of Jorge Campillo and Nacho Elvira.

Five players, including India’s SSP Chawrasia and Frenchman Raphaël Jacquelin who had a hole in one during his first round 67, are a further shot back. 

First round scores

65 D Im (USA); 66 P Meesawat (Tha); J Campillo (Esp); N Elvira (Esp);  67 S Chawrasia (Ind); T Pilkadaris (Aus); J Wang (Kor); R Jacquelin (Fra); S Kumar (Ind);  68 H Baisoya (Ind); W Ormsby (Aus); T Fleetwood (Eng); G Havret (Fra); A Cañizares (Esp); A Lahiri (Ind). Irish: 71 P Harrington (Irl); 72  M Hoey (Nir); 74 P Dunne (Irl).

Hume set for third win from three in Bonallack TrophyBonallack Trophy — Jack Hume has a 100 percent record in the Bonallack Trophy, winning his first two  matches in foursomes and fourballs and then went dormie three up in a third before play was suspended at the Vidago Palace in Portugal with Europe leading Asia Pacific 12.5 to 6.5 .After winning his foursomes with David Boote on day one, the Naas star  partnered the Welshman to a one hole foursomes win over Chinese Taipei's Han-Ting Chiu and Chun-An Yu before teaming up with Italy's Luca Cianchetti to lead India's Samarth Dwivedi and Singapore's Gregory Foo by three up through 15 holes when play was suspended because of darkness. ScoresTommy Cash

 Mediterranean Tour — Killarney's Tommy O'Driscoll closed with a six over 78 to finish 32nd and earn his first cheque as a professional in the Palm Hills Championship near Cairo.

The 19-year old finished on 20 over par as England's Steven Uzzell shot 72 to win the 54-hole event by four strokes from compatriot James Scade on five under with Ireland's Liam Murray (76) third on three over.

Scores

Moritz Lampert. Picture © Stafford Ondego

West Waterford’s Gary Hurley birdied three of his last five holes to lead the six strong Irish challenge in the Barclays Kenya Open.

The 23-year old rookie birdied the first and then bogeyed the third and fourth at Karen Country Club in Nairobi.

But he made amends at the finish, following a birdie two at the 14th with further birdies at the last two holes.

Hurley is tied for 20th, four strokes behind Germany’s Moritz Lampert and South Africa’s Danie Van Tonder, who shot 66s to take charge on the first day of the new European Challenge Tour season.

They are one shot ahead of French duo Clément Berardo and Adrien Saddier as well as Sweden’s Sebastian Soderberg.

Gareth Shaw signed for one under 71st to share 34th as The Island’s Gavin Moynihan and Mount Juliet's Kevin Phelan posted level par 72s for a share of 54th.

Ruaidhri McGee and Chris Selfridge struggled to four over 76s but Lampert, who won three times in the 2014 Challenge Tour season to earn instant promotion to the European Tour, is keen for similar success this year.

“It’s good to be back,” said the 23 year old. “Two years ago on Challenge Tour was the best season I have ever had so, though I would like to be on the European Tour, I’ve set my goals for this year and I’m enjoying it so let’s see what we can do.

“I feel really comfortable around here and I played quite a lot of practice – 18 holes on Monday, 9 on Tuesday and then 18 in the Pro-Am – just to get a feeling of how far the ball goes and what it does out of the semi-rough.

“The key today was that I putted well, I got a lot of up-and-downs that were quite important and if I hit more fairways in the next couple of days that will really help because my iron game is really good right now.

“My off season was great. I lost my European Tour card and took four weeks off and regrouped, had a good practice with my coach and my national team, then I played two events in Morocco on the ProGolf Tour and I won the first one, which gave me confidence, and this is a good start.”

Scores after round 1:

66 D Van Tonder (RSA), M Lampert (Ger), 

67 S Soderberg (Swe), C Berardo (Fra), A Saddier (Fra), 

68 J Blaauw (RSA), S Jeppesen (Swe), S Forsstrom (Swe), 

69 M Lundberg (Swe), J Mullen (Eng), G Porteous (Eng), S Walker (Eng), A Velasco (Esp), J Robinson (Eng), D Perrier (Fra), T Remkes (Ned), D Indiza Anyonyi (Ken), R Langasque (am) (Fra), M Wahome (am) (Ken), 

70 G Axell (Swe), B Rusch (Sui), E Van Rooyen (RSA), Gary Hurley (Irl), C Bezuidenhout (RSA), M Palmer (RSA), R Charania (Ken), D Van Driel (Ned), J Dantorp (Swe), N Geyger (Chi), S Fernandez (Esp), O Farr (Wal), C Sordet (Fra), M Bremner (RSA), 

71 P Howard (Eng), P Mejow (Ger), M Pavon (Fra), S Hodgson (Eng), J Sarasti (Esp), D Frittelli (RSA), T Bakker (Fin), A Knappe (Ger), B Ritthammer (Ger), S Hutsby (Eng), B Njoroge (Ken), J Gonnet (Fra), T Murray (Eng), D Odhiambo (Ken), Gareth Shaw (Nir), D Coupland (Eng), R Santos (Por), J Stalter (Fra), D Huizing (Ned), L Gagli (Ita), 

72 C Basson (RSA), V Riu (Fra), D Ulrich (Sui), J Doherty (Sco), J White (Eng), J Girrbach (Sui), R Saxton (Ned), J Barnes (Eng), S Heisele (Ger), D Foos (Ger), J Guerrier (Fra), P Figueiredo (Por), E Johansen (Nor), Kevin Phelan (Irl), H Joannes (Bel), F Bergamaschi (Ita), E Dubois (Fra), N Simwa (Ken), S Ngigi (Ken), R Evans (Eng), D Wakhu (Ken), E Cuartero Blanco (Esp), Gavin Moynihan (Irl), J Garcia Pinto (Esp), M Schneider (Ger), A Tadini (Ita), N Quintarelli (Ita), 

73 J Lara (Esp), C Mivis (Bel), S Griffiths (Eng), B Simwa (Ken), C Ford (Eng), A Karlsson (Swe), J Makitalo (Fin), J Okello (Ken), P Shields (Sco), E Kofstad (Nor), N Ngugi (Ken), 

74 P Relecom (Bel), S Tiley (Eng), G Woolgar (Eng), E Di Nitto (Ita), N Ravano (Ita), P Widegren (Swe), M Orrin (Eng), J Loughrey (Eng), O Bekker (RSA), C Doak (Sco), T Pulkkanen (Fin), D Law (Sco), A Odoh (Ngr), T Omuli (Ken), J Smith (Eng), 

75 J Glennemo (Swe), R West (RSA), A Pavan (Ita), C Mowat (RSA), A Hartø (Den), M Delpodio (Ita), L Nemecz (Aut), R Kind (Ned), W Besseling (Ned), M Keskari (Ger), 

76 M Armitage (Eng), C Gloet (Den), S Connor (Eng), M Muthiya (Zam), S Henry (Sco), J Hakizimana (Rwa), S Einhaus (Ger), Chris Selfridge (Nir), J Senior (Eng), C Wangai (Ken), H Casey (Eng), Ruaidhri McGee (Irl), 

77 J Sjöholm (Swe), M Tullo (Chi), V Seeneevassen (Mus), K Johannessen (Nor), D Wright (Eng), V Byamukama (Uga), J Lando Casanova (Fra), S Brown (Eng), A Rai (Eng), 

78 A Chesters (Eng), A Orende (Ken), C Del Moral (Esp), M Nixon (Eng), R Ainley (Ken), W Harrold (Eng), C Koerbler (Aut), F Matilo (Ken), J Kariuki (am) (Ken), 

79 M Omondi (Ken), J Madoya (Ken), E Ooko Obura (Ken), K Bollo (am) (Ken), 

80 D Opati (Ken), 

81 R Otile (am) (Uga), 

82 G Snow (Ken), J Karichu (am) (Ken), 

83 J Muigai (Ken), 

86 S Muthugia (Ken).

Spot Jack Hume. Click to expand.

Jack Hume won his foursomes as Europe took a 7-3 lead when the opening fourball session was completed in the weather delayed Bonallack Trophy at the Vidago Palace in Portugal on Thursday

Wednesday's day one foursomes matches, scheduled to start at 8.00 am, were delayed for nearly two hours because of fog.

When play resumed, Team Europe won four of the five foursomes with Hume and Welshman David Boote beating Japan's Takumi Kanya and Toshiki Ishitoku 5 and 4 as Spain's Mario Galiano and Ivan Cantero beat Korea's Jae Kyeoung Lee and Sung Ho Yun 4 and 3.

In the five afternoon fourball matches, Europe's Galiano and Cantero were defeated 5&4 by India's Samarth Dwivedi and Malaysia's Gregory Foo, while their teammates secured three matches.

One match was suspended due to darkness with Stefano Mazzoli, the reigning European Amateur Champion, and Boote all square on the 15th. However, when play resumed on Thursday, they eventually fell 2 and 1 to Chinese Taipei's Chun-An Yu and Han-Ting Chiu

Hume was again partnering Boote in Thursday's foursomes. 

Latest scores

In the Patsy Hankins Trophy, Asia Pacific lead Europe 7-3 after the opening round of foursomes and fourballs. 

Royal County Down Ladies' Olivia Mehaffey had to withdraw from the event last week as she is recovering from glandular fever.

Patsy Hankins Trophy scores

 

Lisa Maguire

Life as a Blue Devils golfer certainly does not lack excitement, according to Slieve Russell member Lisa Maguire.   

Lisa alongside Sister Leona, made the decision to peruse a golf scholarship in the US after she completed her leaving certificate in 2014. Asked why she chose Duke, she said: "Leona and I visited different Universities and had spoken to other golfers who had attended Duke. When we visited the university, we spoke to the coach and the team, and the facilities were brilliant as were the academics, so it was an obvious choice.”

Lisa is a sophomore at the university alongside Leona and there are five other members on the women’s golf roster; Celine Boutier (France), Virginia Elena Carta (Italy), Sandy Choi (Seoul), Gurbani Singh (India) and Yi Xiao (China).

A standard day as a Blue Devils golfer includes attending class in the morning for her psychology studies, playing golf on a Monday/Wednesday and Friday afternoon and practicing on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. 

The gym schedule is not to be snubbed as she is there at least three mornings a week, before class.

Lisa talked about the team environment and how there were significant differences between what she was used to in Ireland versus her daily routine in North Carolina.

“We practice together, albeit it on different parts of our game. The dynamic is very different to Ireland but the programme is very coherent as the whole team are in the same place.” 

Lisa went through a big swing change last year but the focus has switched slightly for now, as her focus is on pre shot and practice routines. 

“Consistency is key,” added the talented 21-year old, who is now working with US-based coach Nick Bradley with the blessing of long time Irish coach Shane O’Grady. 

“Practice and preparation vary depending on where the team are going to play next and whether it’s north or south,” she said.

Generally five players travel to each tournament and team selection differs from week to week. The selection criteria is not set in stone and is based on previous tournament performance, combined with results from weekly on course competitions. 

Lisa noted that head coach Dan Brooks, “always likes us to have a card in our hands as it focuses us even during on course practice." 

Recent Results (2015)

• June 2015 British Ladies Amateur Portstewart Last 64
• June 2015 Irish Women’s Close Championship Rosapenna Last 32
• July 2015 Member of victorious Ulster Interprovincial Team Wexford 1st

Supporting the basketball team, going to the movies and bowling are all off the course hobbies of Lisa’s. 

“Leona and I try to go shopping and max out Dad’s credit card too, when we can," she laughed.

Setting goals was always important for Lisa and she shared her short term plan with us,

"I’m hoping to finish out the season well over here and then play well in the British Amateur in Scotland and European Individual in Sweden," she said. "June and July will be pretty hectic at home but I’m looking forward to it."

Upcoming Schedule *Depending on Team SelectionMay

• LSU Tiger Golf Classic
• Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic
• NCAA Regional Championship
• ACC Championship
• NCAA Championship

Player Profile — Lisa Maguire 

• Age: 21
• Golf Club: Slieve Russell 
• Handicap: +3
• Age you started: 10
• Most Memorable Achievement: Winning the European Ladies Individual Championship 
• Favourite Golf Course: Slieve Russell
• Dream Fourball: Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods, Suzann Pettersen
• Favourite Club: Lob Wedge
• Best Part of your Game: Short Game
• Lifelong Career Ambition: Play professional golf on the LET and LPGA tours 
• Best Shot/Putt (Course, Club & Why?): Holing a putt on the final green to win a fourball match in the 2010 Curtis Cup 
• Hobbies Outside Golf: Playing all kinds of sports, reading, listening to music 
• Stroke Play or Match Play: Strokeplay
• Putter or Driver: Driver

Shane Lowry

When you’re a mini tour pro dreaming the dream and Shane Lowry — world No 25 and the reigning World Golf Champion Bridgestone Invitational champion — rocks up with his clubs to play with you, it makes you feel 10 feet tall.

When he talks to you for four and a half hours on the course, sits down for dinner with you afterwards and talks about the game you both love, you grow another inch or two.

Add to that the chance to play or just listen to a top tour professional like Damien McGrane and then enjoy a 40 minute presentation by an elite professional caddie in Jude O’Reilly and it’s fair to say the inaugural “Irish Tour Pro Series Shootout” (my name for what is still an entity with no name or figurehead) was a massive success.

Three late withdrawals from Tuesday morning’s opening Shootout over the Montgomerie Course at Carton House took nothing away from the day 

Just nine pros paid €100 each to tee it up for the cash, the camaraderie and the chance to learn something new and given the success of the first day, more are certain to follow.

For joint winner Brian Casey — he shared the €900 kitty with Irish Assistants champion Joe Dillon from Headfort thanks to a two under 70 — the experience he gained was priceless.

“It's a great idea, there's not doubt about it,” Casey said of an initiative that is the brainchild of McGrane but still very much a collaborative effort. “Of course Damien isn't obliged to give back or share what he has learned, but he does it anyway and it is very noble of him to do so. 

“Damien has really grabbed my attention by his attention to detail. He had every angle covered yesterday and it was a great opportunity to compete with something on the line.

"His intentions are pure and I've known that since I've met him, he wants to help and he wants to see the next generation flourish as he did.”

The initiative is designed to allow a dynamic group of European Tour, mini tour and aspirational PGA professionals to get together every week in winter to compete for a small pot, talk golf and help the young guns gain confidence and experience.

Great to have @Challenge_Tour player @BrianCaseyGolf staying this week. @EuropeanTour potential chef, super golfer!! pic.twitter.com/vPHN38jfT5

— Crest Link (@CrestLink) November 11, 2015

“It was a pleasure playing with Shane,” Casey said of Lowry, who shot 71 to share third place with Alps Tour regular David Carey. “As it happens, it's in general conversation on the course where you get the tips from the tour pros on the importance of practise, playing with the best players you can and having a good distraction off the course.”

In the end, the group comprised Damien McGrane, Shane Lowry, David Carey, Brian Casey, Brian Sweeney, Ger Hall, Declan Loftus, Joe Dillon and Ciaran Boggan. 

But there are many more similar names waiting for their chance to take part, including several who are in action on tour around the world this week.

Many of them will get their chance to play in the second Shootout, which will has been confirmed for The Royal Dublin on Tuesday next, March 22. 

Another special guest will give an informal presentation and McGrane was full of praise for O’Reilly’s comprehensive chat about caddies and tour life in general at Carton House.

“Carton House cut the greens and the holes were changed so that got us off to a really good start," Damien explained. “And the young guys were already thrilled when they saw Shane come in for breakfast.

“After the golf, we all had dinner at a big table and Shane joined is for dinner and sat in the middle of all the the younger guys want to talk to him. Then at 4pm Jude O’Reilly who has caddied and worked with Henrik Stenson and many others and worked on the Japan Golf Tour, gave a very good, 25-minute presentation on the role of the caddie. 

@IrishGolfDesk @damienmcgrane @CartonHouseGolf great proactive idea, look forward to taking part in some shootouts

— richard bridges (@dddrogba) March 16, 2016

@IrishGolfDesk @damienmcgrane @CartonHouseGolf @ShaneLowryGolf fantastic idea. Great for aspiring pros to learn from the experienced tp's

— Chris Jelly (@chrisjelly29) March 15, 2016

@IrishGolfDesk @damienmcgrane @CartonHouseGolf @ShaneLowryGolf Disappointed I missed it. Hope I catch the next one. This has been needed

— Cian Curley (@CianCurley) March 15, 2016

“I wanted Jude to let these guys know what’s involved in hiring a caddie, where you might get a caddie, what the caddie should do and what the caddie should not do. I wanted them to know what the player should expect from the caddie and what the player should not expect from the caddie. In other words, I wanted them to know how the whole relationship actually works. 

“Everybody was happy with what they got for a very small investment and at the end of the day, the younger players don’t have access to the likes of Shane and whoever else is going to attend. And all of a sudden we can make it happen and we can help by giving them confidence, and helping them realise where they are in the greater scheme of things.”

Future weekly winter outings will bring new speakers from the golf industry who have knowledge that can make a difference to the young players.

@IrishGolfDesk @damienmcgrane @CartonHouseGolf @ShaneLowryGolf Disappointed I missed it. Hope I catch the next one. This has been needed

— Cian Curley (@CianCurley) March 15, 2016

“There are a lot of people who want to meet the players and get their message across,” Damien explained. “And if we feel their message is valuable in some shape or form, we will ask them to come.”

Casey, who reached the final stage of the European Tour Q-School last year, was thrilled by what he learned. 

“I was fascinated with what Jude had to say,” Casey said. “He had some great stories about himself and Christy O’Connor and Henrik Stenson. He opened my eyes about how, with a little know-how, a player could train a friend or a club member into a tour caddie. 

“Of course, financially it wouldn't be viable to employ a tour caddie. But he put it simply at the end. When a player has the components on and off the course in place, the game becomes child's play. Putting a small circle into a larger circle and then filling in the boxes with pencil.

“I want to be associated with the group that Damien organises on the Tuesday. It's not all about the €100 up for grabs. It's about the camaraderie, bouncing ideas off one another and helping one another. 

“Damien summed it up well when he said, ‘Each one of knows something that others among us don't, so we can learn from each other's mistakes and wins’.”

Have to say great fun out on the Monty with @ShaneLowryGolf and @BrianCaseyGolf

— David Carey (@davidcareygolf7) March 15, 2016

Castleknock 19-year old Carey, third on the Alps Tour money list after the first three events, felt he learned a huge amount from the day.

“I didn’t know what to expect but it was a very enjoyable, informative and productive day,” Carey said in an email. “Shane is a really nice guy, really generous with his time and advice and a pleasure to play with. He shared advice on tour life in general and the travelling involved.

“So it was great to be in a truly helpful and competitive environment and it was interesting to compare my experiences, having had friends caddy for me, with what Jude had to say.

“I can wait to be invited back for another one of these events in the future.”

Another top player is expected next week and a new set of budding tour pros will be given the chance to play with him at Royal Dublin on March 22.

“We hope to keep playing for another month,” Damien said. “The plan is to have a pretty dynamic group so we always have 12 strong players — a blend of four European Tour players, four mini tour players and four PGA professionals. 

“It’s not about numbers or golf for the masses. And we are not putting pressure on a tee box at a club.

“There will be no complaints if a club gives us a 7.15am tee time because if you have a 7:15am tee time in the Irish Open, you don’t complain. As a professional, that’s what you have to put up with.”

McGrane received many requests via email and there is huge interest from players and industry experts as well as venues in the Dublin area, which is the target area.

“I’ve had emails from guys who are away this week on tour somewhere but will be back next week and would love to play and they are the people who will be accommodated,” Damien said. “They have to be accommodated.  

“The young players were delighted to see Shane turn up for breakfast and he pulled his own bag and then sat down in the middle at a big table when we came in for dinner. That’s what it is about. He gave a lot and the young lads were delighted to just be in his company. 

“It makes them feel special and helps their confidence. Something makes them feel, ‘I am actually better just a good club golfer.’ It’s about creating something that makes them feel a bit better about themselves.”

McGrane then added: “I have had contacts from golf clubs and secretary managers, and other people in the golf industry who want to get involved. And that has been fantastic. And slowly but surely we will bring these people in for a talk or we will go to their venue. 

“What I didn’t realise was some of the young lads are travelling a long way so it would be great to keep it around Dublin city centre and play the top Dublin clubs over the wintertime. Ultimately it is where people want to travel.”   

Embed from Getty Images

Rory McIlroy would never claim to be one of golf’s masters tacticians but with four majors on his mantelpiece, he could become an even more frightening figure if he matures like Padraig Harrington and learns to read the game as well as he plays it.

The Dubliner went through a huge learning curve before he turned those 29 second places into major wins and while McIlroy’s loss of a three-stroke, 54-hole lead in the WGC-Cadillac Championship can be blamed on an over-conservative strategy, anyone who was on the grounds in Doral will tell you it wasn’t all that easy to tiptoe past the Blue Monster without getting bitten.

Learning to read a situation, the conditions or the opposition is part and parcel of becoming a master golfer and McIlroy is not far away from becoming the complete package.

Charged with squandering a four-shot lead during a breezy final round at Trump National Doral, the 26-year confessed that he was not aggressive enough and did not do enough damage on the par-fives.

He also said he didn’t trust himself enough and that says it all about where he is with his game with the Masters three weeks away. He simply didn't play his best golf on the final day and whether that was a consequence of pressure or a simple quirk of the game, only he knows.

“I probably could have been a little more aggressive but it was hard,” McIlroy said ahead of the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill on Wednesday. 

“The wind, it was a tough day, tricky. But if I had to have the round over again I probably just would have trusted myself a little bit more and took on a couple more flags and try to give myself some more birdie opportunities... Three bogeys on a day like that wasn't too bad but to only make one birdie I felt was my downfall and if I had to take it back, I would have played a little bit more aggressively."

Learning when to be aggressive and when to play safe is an art form that applies to every sport and it took Harrington the first half of his career to learn it.

Speaking in New Delhi, where he is playing in the Hero Indian Open, the 44-year old admitted that while Tiger Woods was his toughest opponent, he didn’t try to beat him but concentrated on beating the course and letting Woods worry about trying to beat him.

Padraig Harrington in action at Delhi golf club

“It has to be Tiger (Woods)," Harrington said when asked the toughest player he played against. "I have played quite a bit against Tiger, and it was competitive. When I was playing against him, I always thought I would play my own game and concentrate on it and then make him beat me rather than trying to beat him.

"And thought that if he would beat me, I would shake his hand and say, ‘Well done.’ But you would be surprised how close you can get concentrating on just your game.

"I would be nervous, but I would not change my game. A lot of guys, when they compete against players of that stature, try to play above themselves and usually fail.

"Often, with remarkably good players, if you give them the impression that you’ll hang in there till the last, they are not used to that. They are used to opponents fading away trying to press too much too early.”

Harrington added that learning to understand your instincts is a crucial weapon.

"Experience is massive in this game," he said. "You have got to be able to read how you are feeling, how the course is playing and how your opposition is feeling, and that comes from experience.”

McIlroy has another chance this week to get a win under his belt before the Masters. Adam Scott is going for his third win in a row and when asked about the Australian's golden run and the importance of confidence and momentum, the Holywood star could see the funny side.

"I played the last round in L.A. with Adam. I played the third round at Doral. He's playing, very very well. He seems very confident with his overall game.

I think this -- I think we should bring the anchor putting back (laughter). I was all for getting rid of it. Now I'm all for keeping it."

Tommy O'Driscoll (Killarney) during last year's Irish Youths Open & Irish Colleges Invitational Championship at Moyola Park Golf last May. Picture by Pat Cashman

Mediterranean Tour — Killarney's Tommy O'Driscoll bounced back from an opening 86 with a 72 to make his first cut as a professional in the Palm Hills Championship.

The 19-year old Kerryman made the cut on 14 over after winds gusting over 35mph made for tough scoring conditions on the opening day. Scores

England'steven Uzzell also shot a 72 and at five under par, he's the only player under par, five shots clear of Ireland's Liam Murray (72-73), Spain's Xavi Puig (71-73) and England's James Scade (69-76).

O'Driscoll's brother Dylan, an amateur, missed the cut after rounds of 90 and 85.

Powerscourt Golf Club

Powerscourt signs up for ClubLink

Technology — Powerscourt Golf Club has signed up for the ClubLink package from Golfgraffix.

“As mobile technology becomes increasingly engrained in the fabric of sporting enthusiasts’ daily lives, we recognised the importance of ensuring that Powerscourt Golf Club was an early adopter,” said Powerscourt’s Golf Manager, Gavin Hunt.

“We are confident as we commence our 20th anniversary celebrations that the introduction of our new App will further enhance our members and visitors experience of Powerscourt Golf Club.”

The App, which is available to download from the Apple and Android App Stores, includes an Online Booking Facility, Online Golf Shop, 3D Course Guide with Flybys and GPS Measuring, Live Scoring, In App Diary, Rewards and Course Alerts. 

For sponsorship opportunities within the App please contact John or Aaron at ClubLink directly on 01 4100990.

ClubstoHire launches ClubstoBuy,com

Travel — They might have made a strategic mistake by failing to maintain a high profile relationship with Paul McGinley but whatever about the nitty gritty of that decision, ClubstoHire.com continues to expand

At a time when golf is going through some hardship, with the number of rounds being played going down (figures released by Golf Business News show the third quarter of 2015 was down 7% on the third quarter of 2014), the number of golfers choosing to play abroad has never been higher.

Clubstohire.com has benefited from this trend most and the company is introducing a new service to enable golf club renters to purchase the sets they've used at ClubstoBuy.com.
 
Six years after making it affordable and convenient for travelling golfers to rent golf clubs abroad for an average of €40 per week for a set in places such as the Algarve in Portugal to Cape Town in South Africa, the company is now offering used clubs from leading golf brands such as TaylorMade, Callaway, Mizuno and Wilson Staff are on sale at competitive prices to rival any club resale specialist. The site is due to go live by the end of this week.

ClubstoHire.com CEO Tony Judge has taken over from Paul McGinley has the face of the company in publicity shots.

“The creation of our new website is a direct result of ClubstoHire customers asking us where they can purchase the clubs they’ve just played with and enjoyed using during their golfing trip,” said CEO Tony Judge.

“Despite a drop in the number of rounds played at home, more golfers are choosing to play abroad in better weather conditions and take the opportunity to try out the latest sets to market.

“Given the demand from our rental customers and golfers in general, we anticipate that ClubstoBuy.com will prove an extremely popular website taking our business to another level and encouraging more frequent rounds of golf,” he added.
          
Last month, ClubstoHire added Myrtle Beach to its list of prime golf destinations served in the United States, just six months after opening in Orlando, Phoenix and Las Vegas. Other long haul locations include Cape Town, Bangkok and the Dominican Republic.                                                                                               
In 2015, around 70,000 sets of clubs were hired by golfers who preferred the convenience of picking up golf clubs at the destination airport, hotel or golf course and saved on airline charges of up to €100 for excess weight.

Since the Dublin-based company was formed in 2010, it is estimated to have saved golfers €4.5m in extra baggage charges, while renting out almost 250,000 sets of clubs.

But it remains to be seen if dropping winning Ryder Cup captain McGinley as the face of the company last year was worth the risk.

“Now that the business has been launched and rebranded, an attempt to renegotiate a further contract was inconclusive," McGinley told The Irish Times last year. "I am now no longer involved in the business.”

The European Tour star had just begun working with Golf Channel in the US and remains a high profile media figure all over the world.
 
Locations currently being served by ClubstoHire.com are: Spain - Alicante, Costa Dorada, Girona, Gran Canaria , Malaga, Murcia, Palma (Majorca) & Tenerife; Portugal – Faro, Lisbon & Madeira; Cyprus – Paphos; Morocco – Marrakesh; Turkey – Belek; South Africa – Cape Town; Dominican Republic – Punta Cana; Thailand – Bangkok, Pattaya & Phuket; United States – Las Vegas, Orlando, Phoenix/Scottsdale & Myrtle Beach; UK & Ireland – Cork, Dublin & Edinburgh.

Lurgan's Niamh McSherry

After coming so close to winning the Irish Ladies Open Stroke Play title at Dun Laoghaire Golf Club last year, Niamh McSherry looks ahead to 2016 and reflects on how far she has come since first picking up a club nearly 10 years ago. 

It was a family affair for the McSherry’s and her current club Lurgan was where it all started, ‘All my family play and my Nan has played all her life. She was a big influence in me playing’. 

Lurgan Golf Club has recently produced a number of standout young female golfers, and one wonders how the golf club attracts and develops them. 

From Niamh’s perspective Lurgan is unique, in that ‘It is probably one of the best clubs. They have the juniors out all the time and they provide coaching and play different formats of the game to keep them interested’. 

Annabel Wilson is another prodigy and International from Lurgan and the two girls would often play and practice together, which provides them both with a supportive environment to develop their games.

Peter Hanna is the professional at Lurgan Golf Club and Niamh credits a lot of her development to him, ‘We have a good player/coach relationship and we share ideas with each other on a regular basis. He is a great all round coach’.

Recent Results (2015) 

• Scottish Open Stroke Play Troon 23rd
• Irish Women’s Open Dun Laoghaire 3rd
• Irish Women’s Close Rosapenna 3rd Best Qualifier
• Irish Girls Close Galway Bay Quarter Finalist
• British Girls Open West Kilbride  Last 64

Niamh quite openly shared her number one goal last summer, and that was to make the Irish Ladies Home International Team. She did that and showcased her talents against some of the best golfers throughout England, Scotland and Wales. Niamh secured two points from three singles matches. 

Her goals for this year are well defined with a short term objective being to win the Irish Girls Open at Roganstown and another  to reach the top five in the LGU Order of Merit.  

It is Niamh’s last year in girls’ golf and she pin pointed the Irish and British Girls Opens as two of the tournaments she would like to excel in. 

This is in addition to her ambition of making the Girls Home International Team, which she marked as her favourite tournament.

"It would be really great to make the team again and get the win this year, especially as it’s my last year playing girls’ golf. I love getting the opportunity to play foursomes and singles and it’s really special to represent your country."

For now, Niamh will continue to work hard in preparation for tournament season, which really kicks off for her at the French U21 Championship at Saint Cloud Golf Club on Thursday 24 March. She will also be joined by Julie McCarthy (Forrest Little), Olivia Mehaffey (RCDL) and fellow Lurgan member Annabel Wilson. 

Upcoming ScheduleMay

• French U21 Championship
• Irish Women’s Open Stroke Play
• Irish Women’s Close
• Irish Girls Open Stroke Play
• Welsh Women’s Open Stroke Play 

Player Profile — Niamh McSherry

• Age: 17
• Golf Club: Lurgan
• Handicap: +1
• Women’s WAGR: 803
• LGU Order of Merit: 30
• Age you started — 8
• Most Memorable Achievement-  Being on the 2015 Women's Home International Team
• Favourite Golf Course — Dun Laoghaire
• Dream Fourball — Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy and Martin Kaymer
• Favourite Club — 7 iron
• Lifelong Career Ambition — Be the best ladies amateur in the world
• Best Shot/Putt (Course, Club & Why?) — Drive at the 18th in Tramore. During the Women's Interpros I was all square in the foursomes with Niamh Ward. We were under pressure because there was out of bounds down the right and it was tight down the left
• Hobbies Outside Golf — Gaelic football
• Best Part of your Game — Driving
• Stroke Play or Match Play — Match Play
• Putter or Driver — Driver 

Irish Tour Pro Series — The inaugural Irish Tour Pro Series Shootout went well at Carton House, according to Damien McGrane, the man who came up with the idea of established tour players giving up-and-coming pros a chance to compete, make money and pick the brains of the experienced players in a relaxed atmosphere.

Headfort assistant Joe Dillon and another Headfort man, the Challenge Tour player Brian Casey, shot two under 70s over the Montgomerie Course to win the money with world No 25 Shane Lowry finishing tied third and giving generously of his time during his break before playing the WGC-Dell Match Play, the Shell Houston Open and the Masters. 

We'll have more news on Wednesday about the first event of what could be come a great addition to the Irish golfing landscape.

Houston Launch PadEuropean Tour — Pádraig Harrington jetted from the Valspar Championship in Tampa to New Delhi for the Hero Indian Open this week. After that he's heading back to the US to compete in the Shell Houston Open, which says it all about his desire to play in a 16th Masters Tournament. He has to win in Texas to make the field for Augusta National and he's not prepared to have any regrets."If I sat home and didn't give myself a chance, I would feel I was letting myself down if I didn't try," Harrington told AP's Doug Ferguson at the Valspar. Harrington spoke to the Priyanka Sharma of AsianAge.com about the Hero Honda Indian Open, the chances of an Indian winning a major soon and his hope that he can play the European Tour after the age of 50.As for winning at a very tight Delhi Golf Club, where he is joined by Paul Dunne, he knows he has to stay out of the trees.“It is difficult off the tees," he told EuropeanTour.com. "You get the ball going the wrong way and it might end up into the trees. A lot of intimidating factor off the tees but the goal is conservative off the tees and aggressive attacking the greens. “You have to accept that you will make a few mistakes which results in double bogeys but hopefully you make enough birdies to counter that.”Leona Maguire named the ACC Women’s Co-Golfer of the Month

College Golf — Duke sophomore Leona Maguire has been named the ACC Women’s Co-Golfer of the Month for February, which was announced Tuesday by the league office.  Maguire shared the honour along with Florida State’s Kim Metraux.

Opening her spring season at the Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge, Maguire turned in her 10th straight top-10 finish with rounds of 69, 76 and 70 for a total of 215, which tied for eighth overall against a very challenging field that included five teams ranked in the top 10.

Her run of Top 10 finishes came to an end on March 6, when she finished tied 17th in the Darius Rucker Intercollegiate

Mediterranean Tour Blues for TommyMediterranean Tour — Liam Murray is tied for third after an opening 71 in the Palm Hills Championship at the Jack Nicklaus designed course overlooking the pyramids in Egypt.Murray is tied with 015 Order of Merit winner Xavi Puig and HP Bacher, three shots behind England's Steven Uzzell, who sot a 68 to lead by one from compatriot James Scade.Tommy O'Driscoll had a forgettable 86 to share 42 while his brother Dylan, an amateur, shot 90.ScoresThe three day tournament ends on St Patrick's Day with two more events planned for Allegria Golf Club (Mar 21-23) and Dreamland Golf Club (Mar 27-29).

The Montgomerie Course at Carton House

Irish Tour Pro Series — The inaugural Irish Tour Pro Series Shootout went well at Carton House, according to Damien McGrane, the man who came up with the idea of established tour players giving up-and-coming pros a chance to compete, make money and pick the brains of the experienced players in a relaxed atmosphere.

Headfort assistant Joe Dillon and another Headfort man, the Challenge Tour player Brian Casey, shot two under 70s over the Montgomerie Course to win the money with world No 25 Shane Lowry finishing tied third and giving generously of his time during his break before playing the WGC-Dell Match Play, the Shell Houston Open and the Masters. 

We'll have more news on Wednesday about the first event of what could be come a great addition to the Irish golfing landscape.

Houston Launch PadEuropean Tour — Pádraig Harrington jetted from the Valspar Championship in Tampa to New Delhi for the Hero Indian Open this week. After that he's heading back to the US to compete in the Shell Houston Open, which says it all about his desire to play in a 16th Masters Tournament. He has to win in Texas to make the field for Augusta National and he's not prepared to have any regrets."If I sat home and didn't give myself a chance, I would feel I was letting myself down if I didn't try," Harrington told AP's Doug Ferguson at the Valspar. Harrington spoke to the Priyanka Sharma of AsianAge.com about the Hero Honda Indian Open, the chances of an Indian winning a major soon and his hope that he can play the European Tour after the age of 50.As for winning at a very tight Delhi Golf Club, where he is joined by Paul Dunne, he knows he has to stay out of the trees.“It is difficult off the tees," he told EuropeanTour.com. "You get the ball going the wrong way and it might end up into the trees. A lot of intimidating factor off the tees but the goal is conservative off the tees and aggressive attacking the greens. “You have to accept that you will make a few mistakes which results in double bogeys but hopefully you make enough birdies to counter that.”Leona Maguire named the ACC Women’s Co-Golfer of the Month

College Golf — Duke sophomore Leona Maguire has been named the ACC Women’s Co-Golfer of the Month for February, which was announced Tuesday by the league office.  Maguire shared the honour along with Florida State’s Kim Metraux.

Opening her spring season at the Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge, Maguire turned in her 10th straight top-10 finish with rounds of 69, 76 and 70 for a total of 215, which tied for eighth overall against a very challenging field that included five teams ranked in the top 10.

Her run of Top 10 finishes came to an end on March 6, when she finished tied 17th in the Darius Rucker Intercollegiate

Mediterranean Tour Blues for TommyMediterranean Tour — Liam Murray is tied for third after an opening 71 in the Palm Hills Championship at the Jack Nicklaus designed course overlooking the pyramids in Egypt.Murray is tied with 015 Order of Merit winner Xavi Puig and HP Bacher, three shots behind England's Steven Uzzell, who sot a 68 to lead by one from compatriot James Scade.Tommy O'Driscoll had a forgettable 86 to share 42 while his brother Dylan, an amateur, shot 90.ScoresThe three day tournament ends on St Patrick's Day with two more events planned for Allegria Golf Club (Mar 21-23) and Dreamland Golf Club (Mar 27-29).

The Montgomerie Course at Carton House

Irish Tour Pro Series — The inaugural Irish Tour Pro Series Shootout went well at Carton House, according to Damien McGrane, the man who came up with the idea of established tour players giving up-and-coming pros a chance to compete, make money and pick the brains of the experienced players in a relaxed atmosphere.

Headfort assistant Joe Dillon and another Headfort man, the Challenge Tour player Brian Casey, shot two under 70s over the Montgomerie Course to win the money with world No 25 Shane Lowry finishing tied third and giving generously of his time during his break before playing the WGC-Dell Match Play, the Shell Houston Open and the Masters. 

We'll have more news on Wednesday about the first event of what could be come a great addition to the Irish golfing landscape.

Houston Launch PadEuropean Tour — Pádraig Harrington jetted from the Valspar Championship in Tampa to New Delhi for the Hero Indian Open this week. After that he's heading back to the US to compete in the Shell Houston Open, which says it all about his desire to play in a 16th Masters Tournament. He has to win in Texas to make the field for Augusta National and he's not prepared to have any regrets."If I sat home and didn't give myself a chance, I would feel I was letting myself down if I didn't try," Harrington told AP's Doug Ferguson at the Valspar. Harrington spoke to the Priyanka Sharma of AsianAge.com about the Hero Honda Indian Open, the chances of an Indian winning a major soon and his hope that he can play the European Tour after the age of 50.As for winning at a very tight Delhi Golf Club, where he is joined by Paul Dunne, he knows he has to stay out of the trees.“It is difficult off the tees," he told EuropeanTour.com. "You get the ball going the wrong way and it might end up into the trees. A lot of intimidating factor off the tees but the goal is conservative off the tees and aggressive attacking the greens. “You have to accept that you will make a few mistakes which results in double bogeys but hopefully you make enough birdies to counter that.”Leona Maguire named the ACC Women’s Co-Golfer of the Month

College Golf — Duke sophomore Leona Maguire has been named the ACC Women’s Co-Golfer of the Month for February, which was announced Tuesday by the league office.  Maguire shared the honour along with Florida State’s Kim Metraux.

Opening her spring season at the Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge, Maguire turned in her 10th straight top-10 finish with rounds of 69, 76 and 70 for a total of 215, which tied for eighth overall against a very challenging field that included five teams ranked in the top 10.

Her run of Top 10 finishes came to an end on March 6, when she finished tied 17th in the Darius Rucker Intercollegiate

Mediterranean Tour Blues for TommyMediterranean Tour — Liam Murray is tied for third after an opening 71 in the Palm Hills Championship at the Jack Nicklaus designed course overlooking the pyramids in Egypt.Murray is tied with 015 Order of Merit winner Xavi Puig and HP Bacher, three shots behind England's Steven Uzzell, who sot a 68 to lead by one from compatriot James Scade.Tommy O'Driscoll had a forgettable 86 to share 42 while his brother Dylan, an amateur, shot 90.ScoresThe three day tournament ends on St Patrick's Day with two more events planned for Allegria Golf Club (Mar 21-23) and Dreamland Golf Club (Mar 27-29).

The Montgomerie Course at Carton House

Irish Tour Pro Series — The inaugural Irish Tour Pro Series Shootout went well at Carton House, according to Damien McGrane, the man who came up with the idea of established tour players giving up-and-coming pros a chance to compete, make money and pick the brains of the experienced players in a relaxed atmosphere.

Headfort assistant Joe Dillon and another Headfort man, the Challenge Tour player Brian Casey, shot two under 70s over the Montgomerie Course to win the money with world No 25 Shane Lowry finishing tied third and giving generously of his time during his break before playing the WGC-Dell Match Play, the Shell Houston Open and the Masters. 

We'll have more news on Wednesday about the first event of what could be come a great addition to the Irish golfing landscape.

Houston Launch PadEuropean Tour — Pádraig Harrington jetted from the Valspar Championship in Tampa to New Delhi for the Hero Indian Open this week. After that he's heading back to the US to compete in the Shell Houston Open, which says it all about his desire to play in a 16th Masters Tournament. He has to win in Texas to make the field for Augusta National and he's not prepared to have any regrets."If I sat home and didn't give myself a chance, I would feel I was letting myself down if I didn't try," Harrington told AP's Doug Ferguson at the Valspar. Harrington spoke to the Priyanka Sharma of AsianAge.com about the Hero Honda Indian Open, the chances of an Indian winning a major soon and his hope that he can play the European Tour after the age of 50.As for winning at a very tight Delhi Golf Club, where he is joined by Paul Dunne, he knows he has to stay out of the trees.“It is difficult off the tees," he told EuropeanTour.com. "You get the ball going the wrong way and it might end up into the trees. A lot of intimidating factor off the tees but the goal is conservative off the tees and aggressive attacking the greens. “You have to accept that you will make a few mistakes which results in double bogeys but hopefully you make enough birdies to counter that.”Leona Maguire named the ACC Women’s Co-Golfer of the Month

College Golf — Duke sophomore Leona Maguire has been named the ACC Women’s Co-Golfer of the Month for February, which was announced Tuesday by the league office.  Maguire shared the honour along with Florida State’s Kim Metraux.

Opening her spring season at the Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge, Maguire turned in her 10th straight top-10 finish with rounds of 69, 76 and 70 for a total of 215, which tied for eighth overall against a very challenging field that included five teams ranked in the top 10.

Her run of Top 10 finishes came to an end on March 6, when she finished tied 17th in the Darius Rucker Intercollegiate

Mediterranean Tour Blues for TommyMediterranean Tour — Liam Murray is tied for third after an opening 71 in the Palm Hills Championship at the Jack Nicklaus designed course overlooking the pyramids in Egypt.Murray is tied with 015 Order of Merit winner Xavi Puig and HP Bacher, three shots behind England's Steven Uzzell, who sot a 68 to lead by one from compatriot James Scade.Tommy O'Driscoll had a forgettable 86 to share 42 while his brother Dylan, an amateur, shot 90.ScoresThe three day tournament ends on St Patrick's Day with two more events planned for Allegria Golf Club (Mar 21-23) and Dreamland Golf Club (Mar 27-29).

The Montgomerie Course at Carton House

Irish Tour Pro Series — The inaugural Irish Tour Pro Series Shootout went well at Carton House, according to Damien McGrane, the man who came up with the idea of established tour players giving up-and-coming pros a chance to compete, make money and pick the brains of the experienced players in a relaxed atmosphere.

Headfort assistant Joe Dillon and another Headfort man, the Challenge Tour player Brian Casey, shot two under 70s over the Montgomerie Course to win the money with world No 25 Shane Lowry finishing tied third and giving generously of his time during his break before playing the WGC-Dell Match Play, the Shell Houston Open and the Masters. 

We'll have more news on Wednesday about the first event of what could be come a great addition to the Irish golfing landscape.

Houston Launch PadEuropean Tour — Pádraig Harrington jetted from the Valspar Championship in Tampa to New Delhi for the Hero Indian Open this week. After that he's heading back to the US to compete in the Shell Houston Open, which says it all about his desire to play in a 16th Masters Tournament. He has to win in Texas to make the field for Augusta National and he's not prepared to have any regrets."If I sat home and didn't give myself a chance, I would feel I was letting myself down if I didn't try," Harrington told AP's Doug Ferguson at the Valspar. Harrington spoke to the Priyanka Sharma of AsianAge.com about the Hero Honda Indian Open, the chances of an Indian winning a major soon and his hope that he can play the European Tour after the age of 50.As for winning at a very tight Delhi Golf Club, where he is joined by Paul Dunne, he knows he has to stay out of the trees.“It is difficult off the tees," he told EuropeanTour.com. "You get the ball going the wrong way and it might end up into the trees. A lot of intimidating factor off the tees but the goal is conservative off the tees and aggressive attacking the greens. “You have to accept that you will make a few mistakes which results in double bogeys but hopefully you make enough birdies to counter that.”Leona Maguire named the ACC Women’s Co-Golfer of the Month

College Golf — Duke sophomore Leona Maguire has been named the ACC Women’s Co-Golfer of the Month for February, which was announced Tuesday by the league office.  Maguire shared the honour along with Florida State’s Kim Metraux.

Opening her spring season at the Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge, Maguire turned in her 10th straight top-10 finish with rounds of 69, 76 and 70 for a total of 215, which tied for eighth overall against a very challenging field that included five teams ranked in the top 10.

Her run of Top 10 finishes came to an end on March 6, when she finished tied 17th in the Darius Rucker Intercollegiate

Mediterranean Tour Blues for TommyMediterranean Tour — Liam Murray is tied for third after an opening 71 in the Palm Hills Championship at the Jack Nicklaus designed course overlooking the pyramids in Egypt.Murray is tied with 015 Order of Merit winner Xavi Puig and HP Bacher, three shots behind England's Steven Uzzell, who sot a 68 to lead by one from compatriot James Scade.Tommy O'Driscoll had a forgettable 86 to share 42 while his brother Dylan, an amateur, shot 90.ScoresThe three day tournament ends on St Patrick's Day with two more events planned for Allegria Golf Club (Mar 21-23) and Dreamland Golf Club (Mar 27-29).

The Montgomerie Course at Carton House

Irish Tour Pro Series — The inaugural Irish Tour Pro Series Shootout went well at Carton House, according to Damien McGrane, the man who came up with the idea of established tour players giving up-and-coming pros a chance to compete, make money and pick the brains of the experienced players in a relaxed atmosphere.

Headfort assistant Joe Dillon and another Headfort man, the Challenge Tour player Brian Casey, shot two under 70s over the Montgomerie Course to win the money with world No 25 Shane Lowry finishing tied third and giving generously of his time during his break before playing the WGC-Dell Match Play, the Shell Houston Open and the Masters. 

We'll have more news on Wednesday about the first event of what could be come a great addition to the Irish golfing landscape.

Houston Launch PadEuropean Tour — Pádraig Harrington jetted from the Valspar Championship in Tampa to New Delhi for the Hero Indian Open this week. After that he's heading back to the US to compete in the Shell Houston Open, which says it all about his desire to play in a 16th Masters Tournament. He has to win in Texas to make the field for Augusta National and he's not prepared to have any regrets."If I sat home and didn't give myself a chance, I would feel I was letting myself down if I didn't try," Harrington told AP's Doug Ferguson at the Valspar. Harrington spoke to the Priyanka Sharma of AsianAge.com about the Hero Honda Indian Open, the chances of an Indian winning a major soon and his hope that he can play the European Tour after the age of 50.As for winning at a very tight Delhi Golf Club, where he is joined by Paul Dunne, he knows he has to stay out of the trees.“It is difficult off the tees," he told EuropeanTour.com. "You get the ball going the wrong way and it might end up into the trees. A lot of intimidating factor off the tees but the goal is conservative off the tees and aggressive attacking the greens. “You have to accept that you will make a few mistakes which results in double bogeys but hopefully you make enough birdies to counter that.”Leona Maguire named the ACC Women’s Co-Golfer of the Month

College Golf — Duke sophomore Leona Maguire has been named the ACC Women’s Co-Golfer of the Month for February, which was announced Tuesday by the league office.  Maguire shared the honour along with Florida State’s Kim Metraux.

Opening her spring season at the Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge, Maguire turned in her 10th straight top-10 finish with rounds of 69, 76 and 70 for a total of 215, which tied for eighth overall against a very challenging field that included five teams ranked in the top 10.

Her run of Top 10 finishes came to an end on March 6, when she finished tied 17th in the Darius Rucker Intercollegiate

Mediterranean Tour Blues for TommyMediterranean Tour — Liam Murray is tied for third after an opening 71 in the Palm Hills Championship at the Jack Nicklaus designed course overlooking the pyramids in Egypt.Murray is tied with 015 Order of Merit winner Xavi Puig and HP Bacher, three shots behind England's Steven Uzzell, who sot a 68 to lead by one from compatriot James Scade.Tommy O'Driscoll had a forgettable 86 to share 42 while his brother Dylan, an amateur, shot 90.ScoresThe three day tournament ends on St Patrick's Day with two more events planned for Allegria Golf Club (Mar 21-23) and Dreamland Golf Club (Mar 27-29).

The Montgomerie Course at Carton House

Irish Tour Pro Series — The inaugural Irish Tour Pro Series Shootout went well at Carton House, according to Damien McGrane, the man who came up with the idea of established tour players giving up-and-coming pros a chance to compete, make money and pick the brains of the experienced players in a relaxed atmosphere.

Headfort assistant Joe Dillon and another Headfort man, the Challenge Tour player Brian Casey, shot two under 70s over the Montgomerie Course to win the money with world No 25 Shane Lowry finishing tied third and giving generously of his time during his break before playing the WGC-Dell Match Play, the Shell Houston Open and the Masters. 

We'll have more news on Wednesday about the first event of what could be come a great addition to the Irish golfing landscape.

Houston Launch PadEuropean Tour — Pádraig Harrington jetted from the Valspar Championship in Tampa to New Delhi for the Hero Indian Open this week. After that he's heading back to the US to compete in the Shell Houston Open, which says it all about his desire to play in a 16th Masters Tournament. He has to win in Texas to make the field for Augusta National and he's not prepared to have any regrets."If I sat home and didn't give myself a chance, I would feel I was letting myself down if I didn't try," Harrington told AP's Doug Ferguson at the Valspar. Harrington spoke to the Priyanka Sharma of AsianAge.com about the Hero Honda Indian Open, the chances of an Indian winning a major soon and his hope that he can play the European Tour after the age of 50.As for winning at a very tight Delhi Golf Club, where he is joined by Paul Dunne, he knows he has to stay out of the trees.“It is difficult off the tees," he told EuropeanTour.com. "You get the ball going the wrong way and it might end up into the trees. A lot of intimidating factor off the tees but the goal is conservative off the tees and aggressive attacking the greens. “You have to accept that you will make a few mistakes which results in double bogeys but hopefully you make enough birdies to counter that.”Leona Maguire named the ACC Women’s Co-Golfer of the Month

College Golf — Duke sophomore Leona Maguire has been named the ACC Women’s Co-Golfer of the Month for February, which was announced Tuesday by the league office.  Maguire shared the honour along with Florida State’s Kim Metraux.

Opening her spring season at the Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge, Maguire turned in her 10th straight top-10 finish with rounds of 69, 76 and 70 for a total of 215, which tied for eighth overall against a very challenging field that included five teams ranked in the top 10.

Her run of Top 10 finishes came to an end on March 6, when she finished tied 17th in the Darius Rucker Intercollegiate

Mediterranean Tour Blues for TommyMediterranean Tour — Liam Murray is tied for third after an opening 71 in the Palm Hills Championship at the Jack Nicklaus designed course overlooking the pyramids in Egypt.Murray is tied with 015 Order of Merit winner Xavi Puig and HP Bacher, three shots behind England's Steven Uzzell, who sot a 68 to lead by one from compatriot James Scade.Tommy O'Driscoll had a forgettable 86 to share 42 while his brother Dylan, an amateur, shot 90.ScoresThe three day tournament ends on St Patrick's Day with two more events planned for Allegria Golf Club (Mar 21-23) and Dreamland Golf Club (Mar 27-29).

The new fairway bunker at the second, which now features a bigger green

World No 12 Jack Hume and No 78 Stuart Grehan will be the men to beat in the 93rd staging of the Radisson Blu sponsored West of Ireland Amateur Open Championship at County Sligo.

Whether or not Hume can win his second West since 2014 and his third title of 2016 following his victories in the South African Amateur Open and the European Nations Cup at La Reserva in Cádiz remains to be seen.

It will also be fascinating to see if Grehan can become the first player to hold the East, South and West of Ireland titles at the same time — not even JB Carr could pull it off — against a field that boasts the likes of defending champion Dermot McElroy and fellow senior internationals Colm Campbell, Robin Dawson, Alex Gleeson and John Ross Galbraith.

Apart from a host of former internationals or championship winners — Tiarnan McLarnon, Pat Murray, Michael Sinclair, Joe Lyons, John Greene and Stuart Bleakley — there will be a strong local challenge from the likes of Sean Flanagan (leading qualifier and semi-finalist last year), Gary McDermott, Steffan O'Hara and Barry Anderson.

The view from the new fifth tee, situated right of the fourth green

There will be usual threat from ambitious young guns  such as the improving Nass duo Conor O'Rourke and Jonathan Yates; the talented Kevin Le Blanca and Thomas Mulligan; Eanna Griffin, Daniel Holland, Gary Collins. Geoff Lenehan, Alan Lowry, Caolan Rafferty and Eugene Smith, that there will be huge shocks along the way.

West of Ireland draws 2016

But as the draws are published today for the March 23 qualifier for eight spots and strokeplay qualifying for 64 spots in Championship proper on Good Friday and Easter Saturday, it's the venerable Rosses Point links that may prove to be the big winner.

The course has undergone some major changes by the hand of Pat Ruddy over the past 18 months with several innovations, which were only hinted at for last year's championship, coming into play.

The extension to the right side of first green will make for some challenging pin positions while the new fairway bunker on the left side of the second fairway and the extended green (50 percent bigger than before) will considerably increase the difficulty of the course's most elevated hole.

The new third green with the old green still in place in foreground (right).

The par-five third will be one of the stars of the show and while the old green remains — it will be removed straight after the championship with its turf used to extend the back of the current 18th green by some 10 or 15 yards — competitors will play to a new green, situated some 65 yards further back, just short of the white, former coastguard's shelter.

The new fifth tee, to the right of the fourth green, offers a tough tee shot over the corner of the realigned drain with new fairway bunkers left and right of the landing zone, putting a greater emphasis on accuracy.

New fairway bunkers on the sixth and seventh (20m beyond the two bunkers on the right) will be of the risk-reward variety and offer players who are trapped the chance to take on the green if they draw a decent lie.

An extension to the right seventh green has also been done but while it brings the stream more into play and leads straight to the new, eighth tee (20 yards further back and also out of play this year), it won’t be in play until the end of 2016. 

A spectacular new tee is also being built at the 10th which will add considerable length to a hole that now features an extended green — it's nearly 60 yards long — with a deep bunker protecting its left hand side.

Site of the proposed new 10th tee. 

Looking straight down the new 10th green, which is nearly 60 yards long. 

From the current tee, player may face approach shots some 30-40 yards longer than normal, making the 10th a very strong hole indeed.

There is also a new tee at the 11th, which will add at least 30 yards to the approach when it eventually comes into play.

As for the par-five 12th, the last hole in the first phase of the renovation to undergo changes, a new fairway bunker on the left will make the bigger hitters think twice about taking the short cut down that side.

The changes will not please all but many of them are excellent, especially the fairway bunkering at the second, fifth, sixth, seventh and 12th and the new green complex at the third.

12th tee

View of the drive at the 12th, where a new bunker on the left will make players think twice about taking a short route

Planned new 10th tee

A spectacular site for the new tee at the 10th

View down the 8th

A new tee, not yet in play, will add some 25 yards to this hole. Fairway bunkering will also be made more visible and threatening.

Fairway bunker on 6th

Slightly more visible off the tee, this fairway bunker left of the sixth is bigger than you think

View from the 6th tee

Note the visibility of the three bunkers down the left

Tee shot at the fifth

New fairway bunkering and new tee has toughened up the fifth

The new 3rd

What players will see for their third shots to the new third green

The new 10th green

This green has been extended out the back and is now some 59 yards long

New tee at the 11th

The shed will be removed but the new tee at the 11th will make this hole a monster and leave players a long iron or a wood to the green.

Fairway bunker at the 12th

Yet to be filled for this year's West, the new bunker left of the 12th fairway is to be avoided

A view down the 1st

Viewed from behind the extended portion of green

New tee at the 10th

A spectacular site for the proposed new tee at the 10th

Local boys

Sean Flanagan and David Brady tee off at the first on March 14, 2016

Fairway bunker at the 2nd

You must now think before you take out your driver at the second.

Had my 1st ever Hole in One today at Karen CC