Irish Golf News

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Paul McGinley expects Rory McIlroy to face down Jordan Spieth and Jason Day for world domination. But he’s warned new kid on the block Shane Lowry to be careful of the pitfalls as he prepares to chase his American dream.

Last year’s European Ryder Cup captain sees Spieth and Day as major threats to McIlroy as world No 1 and the dominant player in the majors.

But he’s also sure that the Holywood star, 26, can stand pick up the gauntlet even if Spieth takes his world No 1 crown today with his third major victory of the season.

Believing Spieth and Day are actually going to be good for McIlroy’s game, McGinley said: “What this game thrives on is rivalry and I think I for one am pulling for Jordan as well. 

“As much as I am a Rory fan and I want to see Rory win majors, I am also supporting Jordan because I know Jordan is going to push Rory. 

“It is good for the game and the sport of golf and it is healthy for both of the players.”

McGinley sees Aussie ace Day as another big threat and like Spieth, he sees the short game as the biggest asset he has over McIlroy’s long game brilliance. 

McGinley said: “I think everyone would agree that Rory has a different gear to everyone else in terms of the long game. 

“But Jordan also has a different gear in terms of the short game. And it’s not just Jordan — you have to fancy Jason Day too. 

“Looking at his physique, you’d think it was his length that was his strength but the strength of his game is his short game.,

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"And when you combine that with his length off the tee, it’s a very good combo when it comes to majors. And he’s very ambitious too. He looks like a man on a mission this week.

“What’s great for Rory in all of this is that he’s being driven forward and that’s healthy. Thats been proved in every other sport, not just golf. The rivalry with Jordan is very healthy from Rory’s perspective.

“Has Rory got an X factor Spieth and Day don’t have? He certainly has it in the long game. Not in putting and we saw it in the first round here when he was the only one to hit it pin high on the second into that right to left wind. Nobody else in the game can do that. 

“We have seen him go away from fields and go into overdrive. We saw it in Quail Hollow this year when he shot that 61 on Saturday and won by seven. 

“He has that extra gift to go into overdrive to pull away that the other guys don’t have but they will pose a challenge and that’s always been something Rory has thrived on.

“One of the things that Rory has done in his whole career is respond very strongly to challenges and he has another challenge now with a guy who has won two major championships as Jordan Spieth has done this year. 

“It’s good for Rory, healthy for Rory and he has always reacted well in the past. He is going to react well to this again. I am looking on it as a real positive.”

No.1 watch: Rory is going to make the cut, so scenario no.5 is gone for Jordan. Needs T2 finish at least... #OWGR pic.twitter.com/261e1r2ItA

— Nosferatu (@VC606) August 14, 2015

McGinley had dinner with Lowry in Akron and sees the Offaly man’s breakthrough win in the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational last weekend as a proud moment for Irish golf.

But with Lowry now taking up his PGA Tour card for next season, McGinley has warned him to be careful not to make basic mistakes that have cost players in the past.

McGinley warned: “Shane has made incredible progress in a  short space of time from the incredible achievement of winning the Irish Open as an amateur to establish himself in Europe and then to come over her and win one of the biggest events in world golf.

“But a word of warning for Shane - the goal posts have shifted so much for him he has got to make massive decisions going forward that will affect everything related to his golf. 

“Where he is going to base himself? How much he is going to play? How is he going to tackle new venues? 

“It is quite clear that America is going to be a big part of his future. He has the Olympics coming up next year, he has the Ryder Cup coming up. He has to plan his schedule. 

“He has commitments and he won’t just be able to nip home to Offaly every weekend or every Sunday night they way he can on the European Tour. 

“He’s got massive decisions to make in the next six months don top of all that the extra press coverage and extra attention that’s going to be based on that having won such a big tourament.

“I am excited for Shane but I also know that this crossroads in his career with the new doors that open, also provides big challenges as well. 

“To take good decisions going forward is important and he has a good team around him — people who he trusts that had been there a long time.  And I am sure they will help him take the right decisions.”

Victorious Limerick AIG Senior Cup Team qualifiers for All Ireland Finals in September. Picture: Golffile

A dramatic 18th green finish saw Limerick Golf Club end a 10-year for Munster supremacy in the AIG Senior Cup at Dungarvan Golf Club.

Mike O’Kelly held his nerve to make a five-foot putt for par to maintain his one-hole lead and clinch the pennant for Limerick.  

O’Kelly went one up on the 17th but his approach found space next to the 10th tee which was used as a temporary car park.  

After the cars were removed, the Limerick man chipped up to the edge of the green and got down in two.

Monkstown’s journey on the 18th was equally interesting as Shane Livesey’s ball lodged in a hedge behind the green and after a long time establishing the correct position, he took a penalty drop, recovering to make par for a half that meant that Limerick won 3-2.  

Limerick’s two other points came from Pat Murray and Justin Kehoe, while Donal McDonnell and Eoghan Long secured two points for Monkstown.

Limerick had a relatively straightforward win over Tralee in their semi-final, led by Pat Murray with a 3&2 win in the first match.  Monkstown had a titanic battle in their semi-final against Tramore.  

Tramore looked like winning as the match drew to a close but wins from Eoghan Long and a great win by Sean Desmond on the 20th saw the Cork side through.
 
Mr John Moloughney, Chairman of the Munster Branch, congratulated the winners and thanked all of the teams for a very entertaining day of golf.  

He thanked everyone from Dungarvan Golf Club for providing an excellent course, and Tournament Director Liam Harkin and referees John Fennessy, Tom Donnelly and Barry Lynch.  

He wished Limerick the best in the All Ireland Finals next month.
 
Limerick now join Muskerry, Ballybunion and Thurles on the road to Carton House for the AIG Cups & Shields finals which take place in September.

AIG Senior Cup Munster Final, Dungarvan Golf ClubFinalLimerick beat Monkstown 3-2

1. Mike Reddan lost to Donal McDonnell 5&4
2. Pat Murray beat Nick Moore 3&1
3. Mike O’Kerry beat Shane Livesey 1up
4. Darragh Fitzgerald lost to Eoghan Long 4&3
5. Justin Kehoe beat Sean Desmond 4&3

MUNSTER QUALIFIERS: LIMERICK

AIG Senior Cup Munster Semi-FinalMonkstown beat Tramore 3-2

1. Donal McDonnell beat Chris Butler 3&2
2. Nick Moore lost to Paul Flynn 4&3
3. Shane Livesey lost to David Kiely 4&2
4. Eoghan Long beat Charlie Dawson 1 up
5. Sean Desmond beat Declan King 20th

AIG Senior Cup Munster Semi-FinalLimerick beat Tralee 3.5-1.5

1. Pat Murray beat Fergal O’Sullivan 3&2
2. Mike Reddan lost to Gerard Deegan 2&1
3. Mike O’Kelly beat Eoghan O’Donnell 2&1
4. Darragh Fitzgerald halved with Joseph O’Neill
5. Justin Kehoe beat Darren O’Sullivan 2/1.

Sunday 16th August — AIG Irish Junior Cup

• 10th Tee 8.30am: Limerick v Ballybunion
• 1st Tee 8.30am:  Mitchelstown v Douglas
• Final 1st Tee: 40 Minutes after last match.

AIG Barton Shield, Munster champions 2015 - Muskerry. Picture: Golffile

Muskerry retained their AIG Barton Shield with a fine win over Shannon in the Munster final at Dungarvan.

With three holes left Monkstown were one down overall but they went on to win all three holes.  

Niall Gorey and David O’Donovan birdied the testing 18th hole to level their match.  

In the second game, Muskerry’s Daniel Hallissey and Shane Whooley went one up on the 17th, forcing pressure on Shannon going onto the 18th.  

With the pressure of needing a win, Shannon went for the par five green in two and unfortunately they went long out of the rough and ended up out of bounds.  Hallissey laid up and Whooley chipped on to three feet to give Muskerry the hole and the match. 
 
Both semi-finals were over early with strong wins for both finalists.  

Muskerry saw off Youghal this morning when they beat them by five holes as Shannon  beat Ballybunion by eight holes.  

Accepting the Munster pennant, Muskerry team manager Greg O’Sullivan thanked every associated with the win the players, caddies, supporters, and especially the Club Officers for all their support during the year.  Muskerry now take the familiar path to Carton House for a national semi-final match in the second week of September.
 
Mr John Moloughney, Chairman Munster Branch congratulated the winners and thanked all of the teams for a very entertaining day of golf.  He thanked everyone from Dungarvan Golf Club for providing an excellent course, and he thanked the Tournament Director Liam Harkin and referees John Fennessy, Tom Donnelly and Barry Lynch.  He wished Limerick the best in the All Ireland Finals next month. 

AIG Barton Shield Munster FinalMuskerry beat Shannon 2 holes

Niall Gorey & Dave O’Donovan halved with Lewy Halpin & Jamie O’Shea
Daniel Hallissey & Shane Whooley beat Edward Hickey & Jason O’Donnell 2 holes

AIG Barton Shield Munster Semi-FinalsMuskerry beat Youghal 5 holes

• Niall Gorey & Dave O’Donovan beat Conor Coyne & Eoghan McCarthy 3 holes
• Daniel Hallissey & Shane Whooley beat Colin Donoghue & Darren O’Sullivan 2 holes

Shannon beat Ballybunion 8 holes

• Lewy Halpin & Jamie O’Shea beat Senan Carroll & Frank Geary 5 holes
• Edward Hickey & Jason O’Donnell beat David O’Driscoll & Ed Stack 3 holes

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Shane Lowry was shattered to miss the cut but excited to head home to celebrate with his folks and his granny.

The WGC-Bridgestone Invitational winner battled back brilliantly from his opening 78 with a super 69 to finish on three over

And while a late bogey cost him his chance to make the cut, the Clara ace confessed the couldn’t wait to yet home to see with his family, his fiancée — and his granny.

He said: “I am a bit disappointed to miss the cut here. I played nicely today but I just wasn’t myself yesterday. I was struggling with tiredness and even today I was quite tired, I think. I just felt a bit dreamed but I managed to commit to my shots better. I am disappointed but, listen, I won last week. I am looking forward to getting home and seeing everyone to celebrate my win.

“I had no idea (how much winning would take out of me). I had never won something like that before. It’s amazing, if I had finished second it wouldn’t have taken half as much out of me. 

“It’s funny the way you come down from the adrenaline rush, it is hard to get back out. I tried today to go out and give itmy best, which I didn’t. It wasn’t to be and I am looking forward to getting home.

“Last week was amazing. I am chuffed with myself. To win a tournament like that — you grow up watching tournaments like that. You go up watching Tiger winning there and you remember him hitting shots into the last there.

“To have your name on that trophy alongside the likes of him is just mind boggling that it even happened. But it did, thankfully, and I am looking forward to get on now with the rest of my season and the rest of my career and hopefully I can kick on.”

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The 28-year old could have been forgiven for not trying in the second round after a six over 78 left him near the back of the field.

But his pride wouldn’t let him just cruise in and after three early birdies got him inside the mark, he made three birdies and three bogeys in the last 10 holes to finish on three over.

Gutted to come so close, but still pinching himself after a dream win in Akron last week, he said: “I was fairly robbed with the lip out on eight (his 17th) but I played good and I got out there and I redeemed myself.

“The bogey on the (par-five) fifth was very disappointing — to lay it up in the water was brain dead and to make  bogey when it is a birdie hole and such an easy flag was tough to take. 

“Obviously I’m a bit disappointed, if I could have made the cut I feel I could do something on the weekend. 

“But I am going to go home now and I am going to enjoy my win and I’m looking forward to seeing everyone at home.”

Lowry said he couldn’t believe the level of support he got during his World Golf Championship victory, joking: “I can’t wait to see my parents and my granny and Wendy and my brother and sister and my little nephew. It is enjoying the moment with all of those. It is special for them and special for me and it is great to have people like that around you.

“I am looking forward to sitting in my Mum’s kitchen having a cup of tea and taking about it. That’s the one thing I am really looking forward to.”

He received texts from the likes of Brian O’Driscoll before going out in the final round in Akron but he admitted that the entire country gave him a boost with their support.

“Irish people are great, aren’t they,” he said with a huge grin. “If there’s a bandwagon we’ll jump on it. But it’s great. The support i have had from home has been amazing. The messages … it’s been mind boggling thinking about how much joy that something like that can bring to people.” 

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Going back to his round, he regretted not having had more time to get over the Akron win to prepare for Thursday’s first round.

“To be honest, if this week had started a day later, I might have been okay. But I was just exhausted out there,” he said.

“I wanted to go out and shoot a good score, something in the 60s and that’s what I did today.

“I was just shattered, even though all week I said I’d just rest myself I only played two nine-hole  practice rounds and only hit a few balls.

“I was so tired all week, even out there today. I went into a toilet after the fourth to get in out of the heat for a minute and I was just shattered.

“I felt like I was getting dehydrated and couldn’t drink enough water or eat enough food to keep me going.

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“I just felt so flat in the first round, and it was so hard. I didn’t think it was going to be as hard but you learn from stuff like that. 

“This was my first time playing after a win and hopefully I will get the chance to do that again.

“It is not easy to go out and win and compete every week, but Tiger used to do it in his time. 

“I just felt I wasn’t myself yesterday and if I had shot a half decent score yesterday I would have been right in it now.”

Lowry now has six weeks off before the Alfred Dunhill Links and while he’s not looking too far ahead, he knows he taken a huge step in his career.

Looking ahead, he said: “I just have to keep doing what I am doing. I have a couple of weeks holidays before I get back down to business with Robbie (Cannon) and Neil (Manchip) and just try and play for the end of the season. I have seven tournaments left - maybe eight. And if I can put myself into contention a few times and try and get another win, that’s my main goal. 

“They are all big events so I’d take a win in any of them.”

Lowry knows that at 19th in the world, the next step is a major. And having skipped stages in his career before—he won the Irish Open as an amateur and now has a WGC having won just one other European Tour event—a major is next on his agenda.

“The next level is winning one of these, winning a major,” he said. “We’ll see how it goes. Am I planning for the Masters? No. I am just looking to the Alfred Dunhill Links and from there, when the Masters comes around I will play in that and when the Open and the US Open comes I will play in those. I will see how I am playing at the time and see how I do. 

“I will definitely have an extra bit of confidence going into those tournaments, knowing I can beat a field of the calibre I beat last week. I think there is an extra level to go, an extra gear but I have to be patient as well. I am only 28 and I have a long career ahead of me.

“Padraig told me that during the week. It doesn’t have to happen overnight. You need to be patient and keep doing what you are doing and keep your head down and see what happens.”

Lowry’s next US stop, unless he plays Tiger Woods’ season ending World Challenge, could come in Hawaii in January with the Hyundai Tournament of Champions.

For now though, he’s happy to head home to Ireland for a break and a holiday with his fiancée.

“If you'd told coming over on this trip you'd be given second place twice, I'd have taken it but give me one win and I'll take that even quicker.

“I have a win in the bag and that was my goal set out for the end of the season and I've done it. So the next one is to try and get another one.”

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Darren Clarke headed straight for the bar to get “hammered” as Padraig Harrington and Graeme McDowell were left licking their wounds in the US PGA at Whistling Straits.

Birthday boy Clarke “celebrated” his 47th birthday by following a 78 with a nightmare 81 to finish near the back of the 156-man field on 15 over par before play was suspended.

It wasn’t as bad for Harrington and his bad knee but with his putter on as much ice, he limped out with a 71 to finish on three over and out of the tournament.

Harrington still has at least one FedEx Cup event to play—The Barclays in a week's time before he heads to Europe to complete his season and finally have his knee seen by the surgeon. But McDowell’s US season is now all but over after a bogey-double bogey-bogey finish for a 76 left five over.

The Rathmore man might have been tempted to join fellow Ulsterman Clarke in the bar after another costly driving display and some less than incisive putting. 

He looked comfortable early on, picking up an early birdie from 10 feet at the first to get back to level par. But he simply couldn't convert his chances after that, missing three inside 15 feet on the next four greens.

Missed fairways, even if they were only by a year or two, prevented him making birdies on par fives and while he made a good par saver at the 17th from seven feet, he was being made to work too hard to score.

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What were once almost automatic birdies are now becoming hard fought pars and it takes its toll on a player as he battles to move forward with a weight around his ankle.

Having started on the back nine, McDowell had to finish on the tough seventh, eighth and ninth and having dropped a shot at the fourth—one of the toughest holes on the course—he was sitting close to the cut mark.

A poor drive meant he had to lay up and didn't birdie the easy par-five fifth and the result was almost inevitable down the stretch.

Opting to lay up at the short, par-four sixth, he could only make par and a three-putt at the seventh put him right on the cut mark at two over.

A double bogey six at the eighth, where he missed the fairway and took four to get up and down from 47 yards after a fluffed third, was too much and another shot inevitably went at the ninth.

Projected to fall to 156th in the FedEx Cup, McDowell won't be in the playoffs now and while his status for 2015-16 should not be an issue, he may have some work to do to firm up his US schedule for next year.

His focus now is Europe, as he said in Akron last week.

"I'd be lying if I said that that was really my goal," he said of the FedEx Cup playoffs. "I'm looking at the bigger picture. I'm trying to get back on the leaderboards and trying to play the kind of golf that I know I'm capable of, and the rest will take care of itself. If I get myself into the playoffs, great, I'll play option A schedule that I have. And if I don't get into the playoffs, I've got an option B schedule, which means going back to Europe, which wouldn't be a bad gig either.

As for Clarke, Europe’s Ryder Cup skipper will next tee it up in Denmark and he may well have a hangover.

“It’s my birthday today so after that effort I might go out tonight and get hammered," he said with a grin after a trying week.

“I just played crap — really poorly — which is very frustrating as I felt I played beautifully because I hit it lovely on the practice range, and holed some good putts on the practice green.

“But just couldn’t quite get it done in the tournament proper and with a card in my hand. So that is particularly frustrating.

“This course is very much a golf course that will highlight any short-comings in your game, and if you miss it anywhere around here you are going to pay a penalty.”

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His opposite number in the Ryder Cup stakes, US skipper Davis Love III, outscored him by seven shots over two rounds, he also confessed he was driven to drink

Love joked: “Darren never mentioned it was his birthday but then I may go with him tonight and also get hammered

“I always enjoy playing alongside Darren but we obviously didn’t have that much fun out there. We both struggled.”

It wasn’t much fun for Harrington or McDowell either as they missed the cut. 

McDowell will now fail to make the FedEx Cup playoffs and must turn his attention to Europe and the Fall Series events in the US to make sure he retains his US playing rights.

The Rathmore man went out in one under to be level fo the tournament but he collapsed on the way home.

After a bogey at the fourth, he missed a six footer for par at the seventh and then double bogeyed the eighth and bogeyed the ninth off poor drives.

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Harrington eventually had a bad day on the greens after getting just 90 minutes sleep because he was up all night icing his knee.

After batting back to three over for the tournament thanks to four birdies and two bogeys in his first seven holes, he bogeyed his eighth and ninth and missed every birdie chance he created coming home.

Refusing to blame his right knee, which will need keyhole surgery in December or sooner if it doesn’t improve, he said: “I struggled to sleep. But it didn’t affect my golf at all.  Not a bit.

“I iced it when I was asleep so that took away the pain.”

It was his putting more than his knee that really pained him as he headed off to Orlando for a family holiday before the first FedEx Cup playoff event in New York.

He said: “I  holed a fews good putts early on but in the last 11 holes I think I missed nine chances, some of them pretty close. Nine out of 11 is a lot.”

Michael Connaughton (President, GUI) with Tony Goode (Team Captain), John White (Team Manager), Neil Manchip (National Coach) and the winning Irish Home International team after their victory at the 2015 Home International Matches at Royal Portrush Golf Club. Team members Dermot McElroy, Colin Fairweather, Stuart Grehan, Robin Dawson, Paul McBride, Alex Gleeson, Gavin Moynihan, John Ross Galbraith, Colm Campbell, Rowan Lester and Jack Hume. Picture by Pat Cashman

Ireland retained the Home Internationals in impressive fashion to send another reminder to Walker Cup skipper Nigel Edwards just over a week before he picks the Walker Cup side to face the USA at Royal Lytham and St Annes.

Player of the Championship Colm Campbell (Ireland) reacts to a missed putt on the 11th green during the final day of the 2015 Home International Matches at Royal Portrush. Picture by Pat Cashman

If an 11-4 win over recently crowned European champions Scotland may just help persuade the GB&I skipper that Ireland merits an historic presence in the side with Gavin Moynihan and Jack Hume playing their part in Friday's victory.

"These weeks are brilliant when you win. All the boys are buzzing," Naas star Jack Hume told Golfnet.ie after playing at No 1  in his bid to win a Walker Cup call up.

"I felt if I had a good week, it would probably give me a real good chance of being on the (Walker Cup) team. I just need to wait and see. I really want to be on the team."

Moynihan and Hume set the ball rolling in the foursomes with a 2 and 1 win over Graeme Robertson and Jack McDonald before Dermot McElroy and the impressive debutant Colin Fairweather edged out Connor Syme and Robert McIntyre on the 18th.

Scotland hit back with two wins but John-Ross Galbraith and player of the tournament Colm Campbell — he won 5.5 out of 6 — beat Craig Howie and Craig Ross by two holes to send Ireland into lunch with a 3-2 lead in their attempt to retain the Raymond Trophy for the first time since 1992.

The singles was always going to be a tough prospect against a strong Scottish line up but Ireland took the 10-man series 8-2 to run over seven-point winners overall.

Hume can rightly staked his claim to a Walker Cup spot on the strength of his play over the last two years but his 3 and 2 win over British Amateur semi-finalist Jack McDonald from Kilmarnock (Barassie) will not have harmed his chances of a call up on August 24.

Wins for the always impressive Moynihan, the in-form Fairweather and his fellow debutant Alex Gleeson left Ireland on the cusp of victory and it duly arrived with Rowan Lester's win leaving the stage clear for  player of the tournament Campbell to clinch the winning point.

Robin Dawson and Galbraith also won to complete a superb week for Tony Goode's charges who showed that Irish amateur golf is only growing in stature all the time.

Now all that remains is for Paul Dunne, Gary Hurley and Cormac Sharvin to rubber stamp their individual seasons with a good showing in next week's US Amateur Championship at Olympia Fields near Chicago before the Walker Cup side is named on August 24.

Ireland has twice had four players in a Great Britain and Ireland side — Joe Carr, Jimmy Bruen, Cecil Ewing and Sam (Max) McCready at Winged Foot in 1949 and Royal Birkdale in 1951. 

Could Hume, Moynihan, Dunne, Hurley and Sharvin make it to Royal Lytham and St Annes? It appears to be very much a possibility and probably no less than Irish golf deserves as it enjoys a new golden era.

Robin Dawson (Ireland) playing his second shot to the 15th green during the final day of the 2015 Home International Matches at Royal Portrush. Picture by Pat Cashman

Robin Dawson (Ireland) checking his partner Rowan Lester's drive on the 15th tee during the final day of the 2015 Home International Matches. Picture by Pat Cashman

Jack Hume (Ireland) shows his skill on the 15th green during the final day. Picture by Pat Cashman

Gavin Moynihan and Jack Hume (Ireland) on the 17th green after winning their match during the final day of the 2015 Home International Matches. Picture by Pat Cashman

Dermot McElroy (Ireland) is not happy with his drive at the 12th tee during the final day of the 2015 Home International Matches at Royal Portrush Golf Club. Picture by Pat Cashman

Sir Richard McLaughlin (Captain, Royal Portrush Golf Club) presenting Tony Goode (Team Captain) with the Raymond Trophy (Home International Trophy) after Ireland's victory at Royal Portrush Golf Club today (14/08/2015). Also in the picture are John White (Team Manager) and Michael Connaughton (President, GUI). Picture by Pat Cashman

Great performances from @ColmCampbell87, @Colinfairweathe & @JR_Galbraith delivered Ireland the 2015 #HomeInts title. pic.twitter.com/rwlOU1hcEw

— Golf Bible (@GolfBible) August 14, 2015 Home International Matches, Royal Portrush Golf Club (supported by Fairstone Financial Management)England 8.5 Wales 6.5 (England names first)Foursomes

1. Ashley Chesters & Jimmy Mullen lost to David Boote & Tim Harry 3/1
2. Ben Taylor & Tomasz Anderson lost to Owen Edwards & Joshua Davies 2 holes
3. Alfie Plant & Dan Brown lost to Jack Davidson & Tom Williams 3/2
4. Paul Kinnear & Sean Towndrow lost to Ben Westgate & Michael Hearne 2 holes
5. Ashton Turner & Jamie Bower beat Evan Griffith & Zach Galliford 4/3

Singles

1. Ashley Chesters beat David Boote 3/2
2. Jimmy Mullen halved with Joshua Davies 
3. Joe Dean lost to Owen Edwards 1 hole
4. Dan Brown beat Richard James 3/2
5. Alfie Plant beat Tim Harry 2/1
6. Ben Taylor lost to Zach Galliford 2/1
7. Tomasz Anderson beat Tom Williams 2 holes
8. Sean Towndrow beat Evan Griffith 4/3
9. Ashton Turner beat Jack Davidson 1 hole
10. Paul Kinnear beat Michael Hearne 3/2

Scotland 4 Ireland 11 (Scotland names first)Foursomes

1. Graeme Robertson & Jack McDonald lost to Gavin Moynihan & Jack Hume 2/1
2. Connor Syme & Robert McIntyre lost to Dermot McElroy & Colin Fairweather 1 holes
3. Daniel Young & Greig Marchbank beat Robin Dawson & Rowan Lester 3/1
4. Barry Hume & Matt Clark beat Paul McBride & Stuart Grehan 2/1
5. Craig Howie & Craig Ross lost to John-Ross Galbraith & Colm Campbell 2 holes

Singles

1. Jack McDonald lost to Jack Hume  3/2
2. Robert McIntyre lost to Gavin Moynihan 2/1
3. Graeme Robertson beat Paul McBride 2/1
4. Daniel Young lost to Colin Fairweather 2/1
5. Barry Hume lost to Alex Gleeson 5/4
6. Matt Clark beat Dermot McElroy 1 hole
7. Craig Howie  lost to Rowan Lester  1 hole
8. Ryan Campbell lost to Robin Dawson 3/2
9. Greig Marchbank lost to Colm Campbell 4/3
10. Connor Syme lost to John Ross Galbraith 1 hole

Michael McDermott

Pure Golf Leopardstown's Michael McDermott returned to the winners' circle at The Ruby Walsh Crumlin Hospital Research Pro-Am on Friday.

His four under par round of 68 at Athy gave him a two shot advantage over Fernhill golf and Country Club's Wayne O'Callaghan and Mullingar's James Quinlivan.

One of the day's early starters, McDermott made a shaky start with an opening hole bogey but he put that blip behind him with a birdie at the par five fourth to reach the turn in level par 37.

He stepped it up a gear on the back nine with birdies at the 11th, 12th, 15th and 18th as he came home in four under par 31. 

His 68 set a new pro record at the Co Kildare venue which was hosting a PGA in Ireland event for the very first time.

Second placed O'Callaghan and Quinlivan were left to rue late dropped shots. O'Callaghan was four under after 15 holes before dropping shots at the 16th and 17th while Quinlivan was four under after 11 but proceeded to drop shots at the 15th and 18th.

The next event on the PGA in Ireland Schedule is a Sprint event at Dundrum House on August 18th.
Liam Bowler guided his team to victory in the pro-am with 96 points

The Ruby Walsh Crumlin Hospital Research Pro-Am, Athy GC (Par 72)

Detailed scores

1 M McDermott (Pure Golf Leopardstown) 68

T2 W O'Callaghan (Fernhill G&CC); J Quinlivan (Mullingar GC) 70

T4 S Wilson (Co Louth GC); E Brady (Clontarf GC); N Murray (Massereene GC) 71

T7 D Higgins (Waterville); J Bolger (Kilkenny GC); J Dignam (Slade Valley GC) 72

T10 L Bowler (Wexford GC); B Doheny 73

Team Scores

1 L Bowler 96

2 K Fahey 90

T3 D Ryan; S O'Sullivan 89

Rowan Lester (Ireland) driving at the 14th hole during the second day of the 2015 Home International Matches at Royal Portrush Golf Club. Picture by Pat Cashman

Ireland’s hopes of retaining the Home Internationals for the first time since 1992 remain intact following Thursday’s hard-fought 9.5-5.5 win against Wales.

But Tony Goode’s charges must now finish the job by beating European champions Scotland if they want to keep the Raymond Trophy.

It won’t be easy after the Scots beat England 8-7 in a tight encounter. But with rookie Rowan Lester still unbeaten and with experienced pair Jack Hume and Gavin Moynihan recovering from another foursomes defeat to win their singles at the top of the order, hopes are high in the Irish camp.

Having edged the foursomes 3-2 with Lester and Robin Dawson earning a crucial halved match, Ireland got the points they needed from the singles when Castle debutant Alex Gleeson beat Jack Davidson 3 and 2 in his first singles match as a senior international to decide the match.

Only a win will do for Ireland following Scotland’s narrow victory against England, which leaves them on course for the Triple Crown. 

David Boote (Wales) playing from the rough at the 9th hole. Picture by Pat Cashman

The Scots took a 3-2 lead from the foursomes but England hit back in the singles, winning four of the first five. 

England were on course to take the match but Scotland came good at the bottom of the order and eventually prevailed thanks to Connor Syme’s 2&1 victory. 

Robert McIntyre, who recorded a 6 and 5 win against Ashton Turner, has been their leading performer this week with four points from four and he is the only player with a 100 per cent record at Portrush.

Hume and  Moynihan will lead the Irish challenge in the foursomes, which gets underway at 8.20am. 

Hume will again play at number one in the singles.

Gavin Moynihan (Ireland) driving at the 14th hole during the second day of the 2015 Home International Matches at Royal Portrush. Picture by Pat Cashman

British Boys Amateur Championship — Co Louth's Thomas Mulligan and Royal Portrush's Peter Kerr made it into the last 32 at Royal Birkdale.  Scores
Mulligan beat Scotland's Will Porter 3 and 2 as Kerr had a 4 and 3 win over Spain's Angel Hidalgo Portillo.
Mulligan now faces Ferdinand Frederick Mueller of Germany for a place in the last 16 with Kerr taking on Denmark's Christoffer Bring, a quarter-finalist last year. 

Day 2 - Ireland foursomes, Gavin Moynihan interview, Tony Goode interview from Golfing Union of Ireland on Vimeo.

Dermot McElroy (Ireland) playing from the rough at the 9th hole during the second day of the 2015 Home International Matches. Picture by Pat Cashman

Matt Clark (Scotland) holes the winning putt at the 18th green during the second day of the 2015 Home International Matches at Royal Portrush Golf Club. Picture by Pat Cashman

Rowan Lester (Ireland) prepares to play his second shot to the 9th green. Picture by Pat Cashman

Reach for the sky.......Rowan Lester (Ireland) checking the wind at the 12th hole during the second day of the 2015 Home International Matches. Picture by Pat Cashman

Colm Campbell (Ireland) hits at the 14th hole during the second day of the 2015 Home International Matches at Royal Portrush. Picture by Pat Cashman

Ashley Chesters (England) bunkered at the the 11th green during the second day of the 2015 Home International Matches at Royal Portrush Golf Club. Picture by Pat Cashman

Home Internationals, Royal Portrush Golf Club (Dunluce Links)
Supported by Fairstone Financial Management LtdDay 2 (Thursday 13th August)Ireland 9.5 Wales 5.5 (Ireland names first)Foursomes

1. Gavin Moynihan & Jack Hume lost to David Boote & Tim Harry 2/1
2. Dermot McElroy & Colin Fairweather beat Owen Edwards & Richard James 2/1
3. Robin Dawson & Rowan Lester halved with Jack Davidson & Tom Williams 
4. Paul McBride & Stuart Grehan beat Ben Westgate & Joshua Davies 3/2
5. John-Ross Galbraith & Colm Campbell beat Evan Griffith & Zach Galliford 2 holes

Singles

1. Jack Hume beat David Boote 2/1
2. Gavin Moynihan beat Michael Hearne 2/1
3. Dermot McElroy lost to Owen Edwards 4/3
4. Colin Fairweather lost to Ben Westgate 3/2
5. Rowan Lester beat Richard James 4/3
6. Alex Gleeson beat Jack Davidson 3/2
7. Stuart Grehan lost to Tom Williams 3/2
8. Colm Campbell beat Tim Harry 4/3
9. Paul McBride beat Zach Galliford 7/5
10. John Ross Galbraith lost to Joshua Davies 6/5

Scotland 8 England 7 (Scotland names first)Foursomes

1. Graeme Robertson & Jack McDonald halved with Ashley Chesters & Jimmy Mullen 
2. Daniel Young & Greig Marchbank halved with Ben Taylor & Tomasz Anderson 
3. Matt Clark & Barry Hume beat Alfie Plant & Dan Brown 6/5
4. Robert McIntyre & Connor Syme beat Paul Kinnear & Sean Towndrow 5/4
5. Craig Ross & Craig Howie lost to Ashton Turner & Jamie Bower 1 hole

Singles

1. Jack McDonald lost to Ashley Chesters 2/1
2. Graeme Robertson lost to Jimmy Mullen 2/1
3. Daniel Young beat Joe Dean 1 hole
4. Barry Hume lost to Dan Brown 1 hole
5. Greig Marchbank lost to Alfie Plant 2/1
6. Matt Clark beat Ben Taylor 1 hole
7. Craig Howie beat Tomasz Anderson 1 hole
8. Ryan Campbell lost to Sean Towndrow 3/2
9. Robert McIntyre beat Ashton Turner 6/5
10. Connor Syme beat Paul Kinnear 2/1 

DAY THREE - SCHEDULEEngland v Wales (England names first)Foursomes (7.30am at 10-minute intervals):

1. Ashley Chesters & Jimmy Mullen v David Boote & Tim Harry
2. Ben Taylor & Tomasz Anderson v Owen Edwards & Joshua Davies
3. Joe Dean & Dan Brown v Jack Davidson & Tom Williams
4. Alfie Plant & Jamie Bower v Ben Westgate & Michael Hearne
5. Ashton Turner & Sean Towndrow v Evan Griffith & Zach Galliford

Singles (12.30pm at nine-minute intervals)

1. Ashley Chesters v David Boote
2. Jimmy Mullen v Joshua Davies
3. Joe Dean v Owen Edwards
4. Dan Brown v Richard James
5. Alfie Plant v Tim Harry
6. Tomasz Anderson v Ben Westgate
7. Sean Towndrow v Tom Williams
8. Paul Kinnear v Evan Griffith
9. Jamie Bower v Jack Davidson
10. Ashton Turner v Michael Hearne

Scotland v Ireland (Scotland names first)Foursomes (8.20am at 10-minute intervals)

1. Graeme Robertson & Jack McDonald v Gavin Moynihan & Jack Hume
2. Connor Syme & Robert McIntyre v Dermot McElroy & Colin Fairweather
3. Daniel Young & Greig Marchbank v Robin Dawson & Rowan Lester
4. Barry Hume & Matt Clark v Paul McBride & Stuart Grehan
5. Craig Howie & Craig Ross v John-Ross Galbraith & Colm Campbell

Singles (2pm at nine-minute intervals)

1. Jack McDonald v Jack Hume 
2. Robert McIntyre v Gavin Moynihan
3. Graeme Robertson v Paul McBride
4. Daniel Young v Colin Fairweather
5. Barry Hume v Alex Gleeson
6. Matt Clark v Dermot McElroy
7. Craig Howie  v Rowan Lester 
8. Ryan Campbell v Robin Dawson
9. Greig Marchbank v Colm Campbell
10. Connor Syme v John Ross Galbraith

"It's great to be back. I was quite nervous on the 1st tee. Not having hit a competitive shot in two months." pic.twitter.com/KPQOKFUSkk

— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) August 13, 2015

Rory McIlroy conquered his nerves and tougher afternoon conditions to lead the Irish charge on his injury comeback in the US PGA at Whistling Straits.

The world No 1 fired a one under 71 in his first competitive round for 53 days after missing five weeks with ruptured ankle ligaments.

And despite a bogey at the last the Holywood star was just five shots behind leader Dustin Johnson, who fired super 66 to lead by one from Swede David Lingmerth on six under.

Admitting he was nervous before the start, the Ulster ace began with a disconcerting three-putt bogey at the first. But he birdied the par-five second to get back to level par and followed a bogey at the eighth with birdies at the ninth, 11th and 16th before handing back a shot at the last.

Pleased to be back and match playing partner Jordan Spieth and happy to save some crucial pars despite a 32-putt round, McIlroy said: “I was trying to hold on the front nine and there were a few more chances on the back with the par fives.

“It’s great to be back obviously but I was quite nervous on the first tee not having hit a competitive shot in nearly two months. “I was always going to be a little bit nervous and while it wasn’t the best of starts, the two shots on the second hole settled me down and I was off and running from there.“The ankle feels great. It has felt great all week. I can go after it and I have full confidence in it.”

McIlroy's par save at the par-five fifth, where he was at the water's edge in three but splashed out to 12 feet with his trouser legs rolled up, had his fans gushing.

"It was fine," he said. "The only thing I was trying not to do was get my feet wet. Because if the water gets through this shoe and through, then the tape gets wet and then that would be a little more than just sort of annoying or uncomfortable for the rest of the day.

"But it was fine. I just, it was a little bit deeper on the right side, so I just rolled my right trouser leg up and it was fine. I just had to remember to hit it hard. And I was very fortunate to escape with a par there."

He added: “I was just a little bit anxious coming back and seeing how my game’s going to react whenever I’m put under a little bit of pressure and have a card in my hand and have to really score. 

“And once I got those first couple holes out of the way, I felt like I settled into the round really nicely. I’m a little disappointed with my finish, but overall it was a pretty good round.

“The ankle felt great, like it has done all week. It’s not an issue at all and anyone can see that with the way I was hitting it out there.”

While Johnson shot his 66 in the calmer morning conditions when the greens were a little softer, McIlroy and the rest of the Irish did battle with stronger westerly winds and a firmer course in the afternoon 

“We are due a bit of wind again on Sunday, so maybe the conditions will be a little more scoreable tomorrow and Saturday," McIlroy said. "There are holes you have to take advantage of on this golf course, like the par fives, and you hang on elsewhere. “There is a lot of trouble out there and a couple of times I had to take my medicine. As long as you make more birdies than bogeys you will be alright. I didn’t hit that bad a tee shot on the eighth hole but got caught in a bad lie. So things like that.“It was one of those days where sometimes it was good to make a par and move on. I realised that and there were a few holes on the back nine I could take advantage of. Thankfully I took a couple of them on the par fives. “I’m in the tournament. It was very important for me not to go out there and shoot myself out of it right away. So to be there only five off the lead, playing in the tougher conditions – I wish I could have been one or two shots better – but hopefully I will go out there on the back nine tomorrow where there are some chances, and get off to a good start.“The ankle is a non-issue. I’m stretching it because I want to keep it mobile and more out of habit than anything else after the last few weeks. I think you can see with the swings I’m making that I’m confident in it.”

.@McIlroyRory sticks approach shot just feet from pin on 9th hole. #SapphireonLocation #PGAChamp http://t.co/5OpDKELdKs

— PGA.COM (@PGA_com) August 13, 2015

McIlroy was tied for 24th at the finish but WGC-Bridgestone Invitational winner Shane Lowry crashed back to earth with a 78 leaving alongside Ryder Cup skipper Darren Clarke.

Graeme McDowell finished with three bogeys at the 16th, 17th and 18th for a one over 73 as Padraig Harrington bogeyed the last for a four over 76. 

After three putts from long range at the 16th from range, McDowell failed to get up and down from sand at the 17th and then three putted the 18th.

And he was frustrated to let his score slip away with 30 putts and two late three-putts after a brilliant ball-striking round in which he his 11 of 14 fairways and 11 of the last 14 greens in regulation.

Determined to battle back to the top after a tough start to the year, G-Mac said: “I played beautiful all day. Putting was difficult today - a lot of the greens are quite exposed and I left a lot of putts out there today. 

“I missed the ninth fairway and missed a short one for par there and hit a bad tee shot on 16 and got out of position and three putted from long range for bogey there and the last two holes were very disappointing.

“It was just a round of what could have been. I played the golf, I just didn’t hole the putts. I putted pretty awful to be honest.”

McDowell’s driving and putting are the strengths of his game but having struggling that department over the past six months, he has slipped from 15th to 61st in the world.

Still, there have been good signs in recent weeks and his first round, while disappointing as a scores, bodes well in many ways.

“It’s small steps,” McDowell said. “I can’t expect it all and it’s not giving me it all. But that’s fine. I am really, really happy with the way I have hit the golf ball today. 

“Tee to green I could not play much better than I did today. You finish with three bogeys on the bounce there and it just leaves a sour taste. But it was an afternoon that could have gotten away and it didn’t and we will go again tomorrow morning.

“I just need ball striking rounds like that where I hole a few more putts. It is confidence levels and belief levels and that’s just a frustrating round because I did everything I asked of myself except get the ball in the hole. 

“I know I am a good putter. I just have to get a little more comfortable and want it a little bit less and let it come.”

Asked the root of his problems recently, he said: “It’s been my driving and my putting. They are the two things that have been my stalwart go-tos.

“I drove it well today and made two mistakes and they cost me bogeys in the end. That’s this course in a nutshell. 

“A lot of the high tariff tee shots I played well and I hit some great iron shots and hung in there well at times and just couldn’t seem to.. tee to green only a dozen guys hit it better than me today.

“I really felt like I did all the right things tee to green. That’s golf though.”

Lowry played just 18 holes in practice and he was always going to find it tough to follow up his breakthrough WGC-Bridgestone Invitational win last Sunday with another big performance.

After lipping out for birdie at the first, he got a flyer and bogeyed the second, double bogeyed the third after a poor tee shot led to a miscued recovery that almost went into Lake Michigan and then dropped shots sixth and ninth to turn in five over 41.

He birdied the 10th and 11th to get back to three over but then dropped three shots in a row from the 12th and did well to hang on with four closing pars.

“I struggled with the pace of the greens but I am not going to stand here and claim being tired or anything like that,” Lowry said, visible less annoyed that he might usually be after a 78.“While I did feel a little tired, it was no excuse as I made some poor decisions out there.“My head seemed to be all over the place and I definitely wasn’t the calm fella who won at Firestone last Sunday.“So it was just one of those days that things didn’t go for me and I need to get out there tomorrow and try and shoot a good score and see what happens after that.”

Harrington was under pressure from the moment he double bogeyed the fourth and then dropped shot at the sixth and ninth to turn in four over 40.

Five over after a bogey six at the 11th, he birdied the short 12th from three feet and the 14th by burying a 40 footer.

But while he blamed his chipping - he scrambled for par five times out of 10 —  he also hit just three of 14 fairways and it was a poor drive which left him needing to get up and down from 158 yards at the 18th to avoid a bogey.

In the end, he had to chip and putt to save a bogey and while he dismissed his bad right knee for his score, he admitted it made it tough to walk a difficult course.

“I missed half a dozen chip and putts out there and on a tough day you can’t afford to do that,” Harrington said. “That’s why I shot 76.

“My knee is just an issue I am dealing with. It didn’t affect my golfing anyway, that’s for sure. It affected me walking around the place, but not anything else.”

Lily to need a 69 to make the cut, he was asked if he was fit enough to get through Friday, he said: “Yes, absolutely. No doubt about it. Hopefully in the morning it will be better.”

Fred Daly with the Claret Jug in 1947

Simon Thornton fired a course record six under par 63 at Balmoral to win the Fred Daly Memorial Pro-Am sponsored by Holiday Inn Belfast.

Thornton finished tied for 16th at the NI Open Challenge Tour event last Sunday and left the tournament convinced his game was starting to come around.

The 38-year-old proved it today at the Belfast venue, going to the turn in two under 33 with birdies at the first and seventh. He reached three under for the day with another birdie at the 10th before polishing off his round in emphatic style with birdies at the 16th, 17th and 18th.

The in-form Neil O'Briain (Old Conna) was Simon's closest challenger, signing for a mistake free three under par 66. Belfast boys Peter Martin (Colin Park GC) and Gary Wardlow (Spa) finished tied for third on two under par.

The PGA in Ireland Order of Merit leader Eamonn Brady was left to rue a quadruple-bogey nine at the par five 16th. Brady was six under at the time but unfortunately hit two balls out of bounds.
Glen Robinson partnered his amateur team to success in the pro-am event, finishing with 89 points.

A special mention to amateur Terry Gilmore who had a hole in one at the 11th, and Harry Larkin who won the LowCard Fuel.ie prize for finishing nearest the pin at the 13th.

Fred Daly Memorial Pro-Am, Sponsored by Holiday Inn Belfast, Balmoral GC (Par 63)

Detailed scores

• 1 S Thornton (Team Ireland) 63
• 2 N O'Briain (Old Conna GC) 66
• T3 P Martin (Colin Park GC); G Wardlow (Spa GC) 67
• T5 E Brady (Clontarf GC); J Bolger (Kilkenny GC); S Donnelly (Castle Hume GC) 68
• T8 J Dwyer (Asbourne GC); G Robinson; M McDermott (Pure Golf Leopardstown) 69

Team scores

• 1 G Robinson 89
• T2 P Martin; E Brady 87

Rory McIlroy

Rory McIlroy's return from injury after just five weeks on the sidelines is a sign of the changing times in the area of sports science and medicine. But the media reaction to the world No 1's first official press conference was also telling in an age when Tiger Woods is now clearly a sideshow and the arrival of Jordan Spieth, a true blue Texas hero, is regarded as a godsend.

McIlroy's press conference, which last almost half an hour, was replete with great detail on how he feared he'd broken his ankle and heard the ligaments "snap".

Perhaps one of the more interesting reactions were in response to McIlroy's revelation that he didn't miss the game as much as he thought he would and that his break had given him some perspective.

.@McIlroyRory is back at the @PGAChampionship. Will he repeat this year? #PGAChampSelfies pic.twitter.com/XY37q5ovLe

— PGA.COM (@PGA_com) August 13, 2015

Is it odd to think that anyone can become so wrapped up in their work that they become impervious to everything else that's going on in a world of 7,300,000,000 souls. 

Christine Brennan in USA Today, was certainly bowled over that McIlroy had the wherewithal to think beyond himself for a moment:

“I honestly thought it was going to be harder than it was,” McIlroy said Wednesday, talking about being gone during a stretch of the summer that would have included his defense of his British Open title. “I thought I was going to miss it more than I did. But if anything, having to sit those tournaments out — especially the Open Championship going back to St. Andrews, which is probably my favorite venue in the world — gave me a huge sense of perspective. When you’re playing week in, week out and you’re thinking about winning these tournaments, you get so wrapped up in what you’re doing and your own little life and your own little bubble, sometimes you forget there’s a bigger, wider world out there.”These are not made-up quotes. A 21st century professional athlete really said this.“No matter whether you win a golf tournament or not, people are going to get up on Monday morning and go to work and do their daily things and honestly not a lot of people care. It’s like, you know, obviously it means a lot to you and it means a lot to people involved in this game and in golf, and in sport in general, I guess, but it just gave me a big sense of perspective that even though it does mean so much to me and so much to a few other people, in the big scheme of things, it’s not life or death. And that’s something that I can bring in with me this week, knowing that, OK, it’s a big deal, but no matter what happens this week, only a very small percentage of the population really care.”

By small percentage of the population, McIlroy might have been more accurate if he had said that only his close family, friends and business associates really care deeply.

And yet, given the standard of interview provided by top sportsmen and women these days, the 26-year old UIstermen is a breath of fresh air in that he strings sensible thoughts together and avoids cliches.

Here's a summary of what he said.

On his excellent record in the PGA:

I think it's usually a fair test of golf, somewhere within 10 to 15-under par usually wins this tournament. So it's not like it prevents the guys from making birdies, but it still penalizes you if you don't hit good shots...

His concerns about his ankle went away after the flight over:

I guess more worried about the flight in terms of the ankle, just to see how -- if it would swell up at all. But luckily it didn't... I've been using a couple of machines to compress it and ice it. So I was able to take advantage of that on the plane as well. So, kept the inflammation down to a minimum. When I got off the flight I was good to go.

"I'm not going to stop doing what I do." -- @McIlroyRory on playing soccer. #PGAChamp http://t.co/TVqbnhtAO0

— PGA.COM (@PGA_com) August 12, 2015

On his future as a footballer. Will he give it up now?

Not at all. I might take some precautionary measures next time. Because I rolled my right ankle at the end of 2013. Obviously I did it a little bit worse here to my left, but maybe wear ankle braces on both ankles. But apart from that, I'm not going to stop doing what I do. I enjoy that part of my life, I enjoy having that normality in my life, something that I've done since I was a kid and I won't stop doing that, no.

On how it all went down:

I thought I broke it. Because as soon as I went over on it I heard like a snap. Obviously that was the ligament that snapped. And then as soon as I got back -- as well as that, I tore the joint capsule, so that's why it got -- I looked down and 30 seconds later it got the size of a tennis ball, basically because all the fluid came out of the joint capsule, so it just filled up. So there was that and then when I got the scan that night as well it showed that obviously I totally ruptured one ligament and I had a grade two in the other. And if that had been a total rupture in that then that would have required surgery. So luckily that wasn't the case. But I mean it was -- for as injuries go, it could have been worse. I was lucky that I didn't do more damage and thankfully after five weeks of hard work and rehab I'm back playing.

How is he now?

I went for a 20-minute run this morning....

And the future?

It's really not anything to be concerned about in the long-term.

He thinks talk of a rivalry with Spieth is fine. Better than Rory Era and Spieth Era.

I guess as well, it's such, we live in such a world that everything's so reactionary and everything happens so quickly that a year ago after I won this tournament it was the Rory era and then Jordan wins the Masters and it's the Jordan era. And eras last about six months these days instead of 20 years.

He's outscored Jordan Spieth by 23 shots in the eight rounds they've played together. Significant?

I wouldn't put too much importance on that.

Who is the best player in the world?

(Squirming) I mean if you were to go by this year, you would have to say Jordan. I would say if you go over the last two years, I would say it's probably a toss up between Jordan and myself. That's a hard one... it's all a matter of opinion. People are going to place importance on different aspects of the game and if people place more importance on some of the parts of the game that I'm stronger at, then they might say that I am. But if some people place more importance on some of the attributes that he is a little stronger than me then they would say he is. So it's all a matter of opinion at this point.

(Pressed) Your opinion?

(Really squirming) I'll tell you at the end of the week.

On why he didn't come back in the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational last week.

We did contemplate maybe trying to do that at the Bridgestone, but doing that in front of guys in the media, the eyes of the world, it probably wasn't a great idea.

On why he got back in five weeks rather than 12. (Pay attention to this answer Tiger Woods!)

It was a six to eight week injury, that's what it was from the very start. But with the advancements of medical science, the advancements of physiotherapy, everything, I mean 10 years ago, someone ruptures an ATFL, they have surgery. Now it's just a program of rehabilitation, trying to get the inflammation down as quickly as you can, get the range of motion back in it, and then gradually strengthen it up. So it was always a six to eight week injury and then it just depends on each individual and how fast they heal. So an average person with a that goes to the physio three times a week and gets it seen to, they will probably take between six and eight weeks. But I had Steve MacGregor who I think is one of the best in the world at what he does. He was with me 24/7 since the injury happened. So, to have his watchful eye over me the entire time, that's why I was able to get back in five weeks instead of six. So okay maybe I was one or two weeks ahead of what I was told at the start, but I don't think that's any surprise, given this day and age and everything that is at our disposal in terms of treatment and machines and everything, so.

On the non-sanctioning of the Bridgestone by the European Tour next year. It's tough for Shane Lowry, isn't it?:

It's a awkward one. Obviously with the Olympics being included in the schedule next year it's made it very difficult for the European Tour on the PGA TOUR to schedule their events...Shane, I mean, it's obviously great going back to defend a title. I've heard rumors that the French Open is going to count as two tournaments on the European Tour next year for guys that play both tours. They're going to increase the prize fund. Does that mean that the French Open's going to become more attractive to the top players? Probably not. Bridgestone's a great tournament. And whether it's a World Golf Championship or not, they're going to get a very strong field, just because of the golf course and because of the history it has on this side of the pond. But, yeah, I mean I don't think you should blame the European Tour or the PGA TOUR for this one, it's more of the Olympics has been put into the schedule and everyone's had to accommodate because of it.

LOWRY ⛳️

Graeme McDowell, pictured at The Open, with a new wedge

Graeme McDowell wants this week’s US PGA to confirm he’s back on the road to recovery.

The former US Open winner has crashed from 15th to 61st in the world this year and could miss next year’s Ryder Cup and Olympic Games if he fails to find form.

But after clinching his first Top 20 since January WGC-Bridgestone Invitational behind Shane Lowry, he feels he’s turned the corner.

G-Mac said: “It has to be baby steps but I’ve been grinding away and I am starting to see good things happening. 

There were certainly a lot of good things to come out of Firestone, which hasn't been a great venue for me over the years. 

“I’ve done the hard part and asked myself the nasty questions and tried to answer them and come out the other side. 

“I am getting there for sure but It is all about confidence, and belief and putting it all together. 

“And weeks like Firestone and St Andrews and any weeks previous to that, they are all weeks that start adding in to the belief and confidence bank and that’s the key for me right now.”

Whistling Straits isn’t just a big-hitters course and McDowell knows that he can compete if he finds fairways again.

He said: “Hitting it long is going to help in places but you have to keep it on the beaten track here or you are in big trouble. 

“It is the kind of course you are not going to scramble well on because if you do hit it in trouble, you are in big trouble. 

“It is steady as she goes and plenty of fairways and plenty of greens and I’ve driven it well the last couple of days in practice. 

“The only thing I didn’t do well at Firestone was drive it in the fairway but I am driving it well now, my iron play is sharp, my wedge play is sharp and I feel like I am rolling it well.”

McDowell is not putting himself amongst the favourites and would settle for a decent finish if he can stop thinking about his swing and just play free-flowing golf.

He explained; “The comfort level is back a little bit, the enjoyment level is back and I am starting to believe in what I am doing and starting to see the ball behave itself. 

“But it’s baby steps — I can’t expect to all of a sudden jump up and win the PGA Championship. 

“It is not out of the realms of possibility but I have got to set my expectations where they need to be and a Top 15 or Top 20 would be a step in the right direction.

“Yes, I am starting to play better and I know if I got a sniff, I could compete here. But we have just got to take it day by day and see what happens.” 

Colin Fairweather (Ireland) driving at the 12th tee on the first day of the 2015 Home International Matches at Royal Portrush Golf Club today (12/08/2015). Picture by Pat Cashman

Ireland got off to a disappointing start in their defence of the Home International matches at Royal Portrush when they were held to a tie by England at Royal Portrush.

The triple crown is no longer possible and Tony Goode's men must now beat Wales today andEuropean champions Scotland on Friday to have any chance of retaining the Raymond Trophy. 

Scotland beat Wales 11.5-3.5 as Ireland were held 7.5-7.5 by England with Paul Kinnear clinching the halved match overall with a half against Stuart Grehan.

If Jack Hume and Gavin Moynihan were hoping to make an impact as a potential Walker Cup pairing, they didn't achieve it as they lost 4 and  2 to Ben Taylor and Tomasz Anderson.

Colm Campbell (Ireland) bunkered at the 11th green on the first day of the 2015 Home International Matches at Royal Portrush Golf Club. (12/08/2015). Picture by Pat Cashman

Still, Ireland forged a 3-2 foursomes lead with wins for Dermot McElroy and debutant Colin Fairweather over Ashley Chesters and Jimmy Mullen (4 and 2), Paul McBride and Grehan over Kinnear and Jamie Bower (2 holes) and John-Ross Galbraith and Colm Campbell over Ashton Turner and Sean Towndrow (4 and 2).

In the singles, Ireland started well but eventually managed just three wins and three halved matched from 10 despite  lunchtime talk from Garth McGimpsey.

Again, the top guns failed to fire with Hume halving with Mullen andMoynihan beaten by Chesters. 

Instead it was the debutants who played best with Fairweather winning his second match by 6 and 4 over Tomasz Anderson and Rowan Lester seeing off Ashton Turned 2 and 1.

Paul McBride (Ireland) driving at the 5th tee on the first day of the 2015 Home International Matches at Royal Portrush Golf Club. (12/08/2015). Picture by Pat Cashman

Grehan had a chance to close out overall victory for Ireland but he drove into bushes and lost the 18th to Kinnear who saved England from defeat with a halved match.

Scotland were far too good for Wales winning 11.5 - 3.5 and while they will have their tails ups, Ireland can look to the impressive performances from their debutants as reason to be confident going forward.

Fairweather, Grehan, Lester and McBride all won points while Alex Gleeson only lost his foursomes with Robin Dawson by the minimum. 

If the experienced players perform, all is not yet lost.

Matt Clark (Scotland) driving at the 2nd tee on the first day of the 2015 Home International Matches at Royal Portrush Golf Club (12/08/2015). Picture by Pat Cashman

John Ross Galbraith (Ireland) playing from the rough at the 11th on the first day of the 2015 Home International Matches at Royal Portrush. Picture by Pat Cashman

Dan Brown (England) bunkered at the 18th green on the first day of the 2015 Home International Matches at Royal Portrush Golf Club. Picture by Pat Cashman

Ashton Turner (England) playing from the bunker at the 17th green on the first day of the 2015 Home International Matches at Royal Portrush Golf Club. Picture by Pat Cashman

Ashley Chesters (England) driving at the 5th tee on the first day of the 2015 Home International Matches at Royal Portrush Golf. Picture by Pat Cashman

Garth McGimpsey watching the action on the first day. Picture by Pat Cashman

Evan Griffith (Wales) pitching to the 1st green. Picture by Pat Cashman

Home Internationals, Royal Portrush Golf Club (supported by Fairstone Financial Management)Day OneIreland 7.5  England 7.5  (Ireland names first)Foursomes 

1. Gavin Moynihan & Jack Hume lost to Ben Taylor & Tomasz Anderson 4/2
2. Dermot McElroy & Colin Fairweather beat Ashley Chesters & Jimmy Mullen 4/2
3. Robin Dawson & Alex Gleeson lost to Alfie Plant & Dan Brown 1 hole
4. Paul McBride & Stuart Grehan beat Paul Kinnear & Jamie Bower 2 holes
5. John-Ross Galbraith & Colm Campbell beat Ashton Turner & Sean Towndrow 4/2

Singles

1. Jack Hume halved with Jimmy Mullen 
2. Gavin Moynihan lost to Ashley Chesters 2 holes
3. Dermot McElroy lost to Joe Dean 2/1
4. Colin Fairweather beat Tomasz Anderson 6/4
5. Robin Dawson lost to Alfie Plant 1 hole
6. Rowan Lester beat Ashton Turner 2/1
7. Colm Campbell halved with Ben Taylor 
8. Paul McBride lost to Sean Towndrow 1 hole
9. Stuart Grehan halved with Paul Kinnear 
10. John Ross Galbraith beat Jamie Bower 3/2

Scotland 11.5  Wales 3.5 (Scotland names first)Foursomes 

1. Graeme Robertson & Jack McDonald beat David Boote & Michael Hearne 6/5
2. Connor Syme & Robert McIntyre beat Ben Westgate & Tim Harry 1 hole
3. Matt Clark & Barry Hume  lost to Jack Davidson & Tom Williams 1 hole
4. Craig Howie & Craig Ross beat Zach Guilford & Evan Griffith  2/1
5. Daniel Young & Greig Marchbank  beat Owen Edwards & Richard James 1 hole

Singles

1. Jack McDonald beat David Boote 3/2
2. Graeme Robertson beat Michael Hearne 3/2
3. Robert McIntyre beat Joshua Davies 2 holes
4. Connor Syme lost to Ben Westgate 3/2
5. Matthew Clark beat Evan Griffith 7/6
6. Craig Howie  beat Jack Davidson 6/4
7. Ryan Campbell beat Tim Harry 1 hole
8. Barry Hume beat Zach Guilford 1 hole
9. Greig Marchbank lost to Owen Edwards 2/1
10. Daniel Young halved with Richard James

Day Two - ScheduleIreland v Wales (Ireland names first)Foursomes (7.30am at 10-minute intervals)

1. Gavin Moynihan & Jack Hume v David Boote & Tim Harry
2. Dermot McElroy & Colin Fairweather v Owen Edwards & Richard James
3. Robin Dawson & Rowan Lester v Jack Davidson & Tom Williams
4. Paul McBride & Stuart Grehan v Ben Westgate & Joshua Davies
5. John-Ross Galbraith & Colm Campbell v Evan Griffith & Zach Galliford

Singles (12.30pm at nine-minute intervals)

1. Jack Hume  v David Boote
2. Gavin Moynihan v Michael Hearne
3. Dermot McElroy v Owen Edwards
4. Colin Fairweather v Ben Westgate
5. Rowan Lester v Richard James
6. Alex Gleeson v Jack Davidson
7. Stuart Grehan v Tom Williams
8. Colm Campbell v Tim Harry
9. Paul McBride v Zach Galliford
10. John Ross Galbraith v Joshua Davies

Scotland v England (Scotland names first)Foursomes

1. Graeme Robertson & Jack McDonald v Ashley Chesters & Jimmy Mullen
2. Daniel Young & Greig Marchbank v Ben Taylor & Tomasz Anderson
3. Matt Clark & Barry Hume  v Alfie Plant & Dan Brown
4. Robert McIntyre & Connor Syme v Paul Kinnear & Sean Towndrow
5. Craig Ross & Craig Howie v Ashton Turner & Jamie Bower

Singles

1. Jack McDonald v Ashley Chesters
2. Graeme Robertson v Jimmy Mullen
3. Daniel Young v Joe Dean
4. Barry Hume v Dan Brown
5. Greig Marchbank v Alfie Plant
6. Matt Clark v Ben Taylor
7. Craig Howie v Tomasz Anderson
8. Ryan Campbell v Sean Towndrow
9. Robert McIntyre v Ashton Turner
10. Connor Syme v Paul Kinnear

Thomas Mulligan. Picture: Pat Cashman

County Louth’s Thomas Mulligan and Royal Portrush’s Peter Kerr were the only Irish qualifiers for Thursday’s matchplay stages of the British Boys Amateur Championship at Royal Birkdale and Southport and Ainsdale.

Mulligan followed a two under 70 at Royal Birkdale with a one over 72 at Southport and Ainsdale to qualify in sixth place on one under par, five shots behind England’s Bradley Moore who led the qualifiers by following up an opening seven-under-par 65 with a one-over 72 at Birkdale.

The England boys’ international, 17, finished three shots clear of Scots Calum Fyfe and Murray Naysmith and Denmark’s Christoffer Bring.

Kerr opened with a level par 72 at Southport and Ainsdale before adding a 75 at Royal Birkdale to qualify in 30th place on four over.

The cut fell on six-over-par among those to miss out were Ireland’s Rory Williamson and Conor Purcell, who both finished tied fourth at the Irish Boys Amateur Open Championship in June.

Mulligan now faces Scotland’s Will Porter with Kerr drawn against Spain’s Angel Hidalgo Portillo.

British Boys Championship, Royal Birkdale

Match Play draw

Selected qualifiers - strokeplay results

• 1 MOORE, Bradley Kedleston Park -6 65 72 137
• 2 NAYSMITH, Murray Marriott Dalmahoy -3 71 69 140
• 3 BRING, Christoffer Denmark -3 71 69 140
• 4 FYFE, Calum Cawder -3 73 67 140 
• 5 DE LANGE, Keegan South Africa -2 69 72 141
• 6 MULLIGAN, Thomas County Louth -1 70 72 142
• 7 THURLOWAY, Thomas Mannings Heath Par 75 68 143
• 8 NEVIN-WHARTON, Rhys Sandiway Par 73 70 143
• 9 BRIGGS, Toby Dunston Hall +1 72 72 144
• 10 FARR, Callum Priors Hall +1 72 72 144
• 30 KERR, Peter Royal Portrush +4 72 75 147

Non-qualifiers

• 99 WILLIAMSON, Rory Holywood +8 76 75 151
• 107 BOUCHER, Marc Carton House +9 75 77 152 
• 137 NORTON, Marc Belvoir Park +11 76 78 154
• 162 PURCELL, Conor Portmarnock +13 79 77 156
• 165 BRADY, David County Sligo +13 77 79 156
• 226 LEONARD, Eoin Wentworth +20 77 86 163

Brabazon Trophy winner Cormac Sharvin

Paul Dunne, Cormac Sharvin and Gary Hurley will have to hit the ground running in next week's US Amateur Championship at Olympia Fields.

The Irish trio, who travelled to Chicago together on Wednesday and will also share digs, will almost be playing together too as they have been put in the same side of the draw for the strokeplay qualifying rounds next Monday and Tuesday.

All three tee off on the North Course, which will also host the matchplay, on Monday morning before taking on the South Course on Tuesday afternoon.

The top 64 in the 312-player field will then meet in matchplay from Wednesday at Olympia Fields' North Course with the quarterfinals scheduled for Friday and the semifinals  for Saturday,

The championship is scheduled to conclude with a 36-hole final on Sunday.

115th U.S. Amateur Championship, Aug. 17-23, 2015Olympia Fields (Ill.) Country Club (North Course)Stroke-Play Co-Host Course: Olympia Fields (Ill.) Country Club (South Course)

www.usamateur.org

Twitter: @USGA; Facebook.com/USGA; Instagram: @USGA; #USAmateur

Monday (Aug. 17), North Course, hole #1 / Tuesday (Aug. 18), South Course, hole #10

7 a.m. / Noon – Daniel Stringfellow, Roselle, Ill.; Stanhope Johnson Jr., Greensboro, N.C.; Carson Young, Pendleton, S.C.

7:10 a.m. / 12:10 p.m. – Kyle Cornett, Mill Creek, Wash.; Michael Muehr, Potomac Falls, Va.; George Cunningham, Tucson, Ariz.

7:20 a.m. / 12:20 p.m. – Aaron Whalen, Ephrata, Wash.; Jimmy Hervol, Hopkinton, Mass.; Grant Forrest, Scotland

7:30 a.m. / 12:30 p.m. – Jack Sparling, Dublin, Ohio; Tom Vining, Sioux Falls, S.D.; Robin Sciot-Siegrist, France

7:40 a.m. / 12:40 p.m. – Rigel Fernandes, India; Zachary Olsen, Cordova, Tenn.; Henry Smart, Charleston, S.C.

7:50 a.m. / 12:50 p.m. – Jacob Hicks, Greenville, N.C.; Ryan Prokay, Grove City, Pa.; David Oraee, Greeley, Colo.

8 a.m. / 1 p.m. – Ryan Ruffels, Australia; Charles Wang, Ppls Repl. of China; Victor Wiggins, Gastonia, N.C.

8:10 a.m. / 1:10 p.m. – Benjamin Griffin, Chapel Hill, N.C.; Chris Babcock, Shoreline, Wash.; Gunn Yang, Republic of Korea

8:20 a.m. / 1:20 p.m. – Caleb Proveaux, Lexington, S.C.; Kolton Crawford, Mansfield, Texas; Broc Johnson, Auburn, Wash.

8:30 a.m. / 1:30 p.m. – Jacob Solomon, Dublin, Calif.; Thomas Detry, Belgium; Shane Barnes, Bloomington, Minn.

8:40 a.m. / 1:40 p.m. – Maverick McNealy, Portola Valley, Calif.; Michael Balcar, Toledo, Ohio; Conner Koberg, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

8:50 a.m. / 1:50 p.m. – Todd Mitchell, Bloomington, Ill.; Seokwon Jeon, Draper, Utah; Sam Burns, Shreveport, La.

9 a.m. / 2 p.m. – Kenta Konishi, Japan; Matthew Perrine, Austin, Texas; Max Greyserman, Short Hills, N.J.

Monday (Aug. 17), North Course, hole #10 / Tuesday (Aug. 18), South Course, hole #1

7 a.m. / Noon – Jonathan Hogan, Santa Barbara, Calif.; Will Echelmeier, Columbia, Mo.; Turner Southey-Gordon, Canada

7:10 a.m. / 12:10 p.m. – Doug Kleeschulte, Kingston, N.Y.; Steven Irwin, Arvada, Colo.; Jordan Wetsch, St. Charles, Ill.

7:20 a.m. / 12:20 p.m. – Frederick Wedel, The Woodlands, Texas; Christopher Guglielmo, Cumming, Ga.; Michael Johnson, Birmingham, Ala.

7:30 a.m. / 12:30 p.m. – Robby Shelton, Wilmer, Ala.; Matthew Dunn, Houston, Texas; Patrick Moriarty, Rockville, Md.

7:40 a.m. / 12:40 p.m. – Cristobal Del Solar, Chile; Paul Dunne, Republic of Ireland; John Jackopsic, West Hartford, Conn.

7:50 a.m. / 12:50 p.m. – Lucas Herbert, Australia; David Kocher, Charlotte, N.C.; Chris Harris, Atlanta, Ga.

8 a.m. / 1 p.m. – Robert Salomon, Marina, Calif.; Jon Rahm, Spain; Ben Wolcott, Dickson, Miss.

8:10 a.m. / 1:10 p.m. – Michael Vandeventer, Columbus, Ind.; Jonathan De Los Reyes, Sacramento, Calif.; Romain Langasque, France

8:20 a.m. / 1:20 p.m. – Marcus Kinhult, Sweden; Alex Franklin, San Rafael, Calif.; Will Grimmer, Cincinnati, Ohio

8:30 a.m. / 1:30 p.m. – Michael Tolladay, Fresno, Calif.; Alejandro Tosti, Argentina; Ethan Farnam, Crystal Lake, Ill.

8:40 a.m. / 1:40 p.m. – Gary Hurley, Republic of Ireland; Ryggs Johnston, Libby, Mont.; Kyle De Silva, Orange, Calif.

8:50 a.m. / 1:50 p.m. – Cormac Sharvin, Northern Ireland; Austin Bautista, Australia; Daniel Wetterich, Cincinnati, Ohio

9 a.m. / 2 p.m. – Troy Johnson, Maple Grove, Minn.; Josh Whalen, Canada; Logan Lagodich, Canton, Ohio

Monday (Aug. 17), North Course, hole #1 / Tuesday (Aug. 18), South Course, hole #10

Noon / 7 a.m. – McKinley Slade, Saunderstown, R.I.; Hayden Wood, Edmond, Okla.; Stewart Hagestad, Newport Beach, Calif.

12:10 p.m. / 7:10 a.m. – Billy Kennerly, Alpharetta, Ga.; Luis Fernando Barco, Peru; Connor Campbell, Orange, Calif.

12:20 p.m. / 7:20 a.m. – Beau Hossler, Mission Viejo, Calif.; Shad Tuten, Elberton, Ga.; Thomas Bayliss, England

12:30 p.m. / 7:30 a.m. – Vincent Whaley, Fayetteville, Ga.; Derek Bard, New Hartford, N.Y.; Joseph Winslow, Tampa, Fla.

12:40 p.m. / 7:40 a.m. – Kyle Suppa, Honolulu, Hawaii; Maximilian Rottluff, Germany; Keegan Vea, Evansville, Ind.

12:50 p.m. / 7:50 a.m. – Kyler Dunkle, Fort Collins, Colo.; Daniel Whelan, Coral Springs, Fla.; Byron Meth, San Diego, Calif.

1 p.m. / 8 a.m. – Cameron Young, Scarborough, N.Y.; Bryan Shin, Republic of Korea; Billy Walthouse, Longmeadow, Mass.

1:10 p.m. / 8:10 a.m. – Michael Brown Jr., Maple Shade, N.J.; Braden Thornberry, Olive Branch, Miss.; Andrew Price, Lake Bluff, Ill.

1:20 p.m. / 8:20 a.m. – Miller Capps, Denver, N.C.; Collin Morikawa, La Canada Flintridge, Calif.; Todd White, Spartanburg, S.C.

1:30 p.m. / 8:30 a.m. – Paul Pastore, Greenwich, Conn.; Josh Munn, New Zealand; Austin James, Canada

1:40 p.m. / 8:40 a.m. – Philip Barbaree, Shreveport, La.; Eugene Hong, Sanford, Fla.; Josh Lorenzetti, Blythewood, S.C.

1:50 p.m. / 8:50 a.m. – Jacob Fendt, Suwanee, Ga.; Cody Blick, Danville, Calif.; William Zalatoris, Plano, Texas

2 p.m. / 9 a.m. – Davis Riley, Hattiesburg, Miss.; Francesco Ruffino, Bloomfield Village, Mich.; David Weisfeld, New York, N.Y.

Monday (Aug. 17), North Course, hole #10 / Tuesday (Aug. 18), South Course, hole #1

Noon / 7 a.m. – Matthew Giovannelli, Ocala, Fla.; Brett Viboch, Moraga, Calif.; Alex Weiss, Pickerington, Ohio

12:10 p.m. / 7:10 a.m. – Daniel Hudson, Western Springs, Ill.; Broc Everett, West Des Moines, Iowa; Blair Hamilton, Canada

12:20 p.m. / 7:20 a.m. – Jack Maguire, St Petersburg, Fla.; Andrew Levitt, Ladera Ranch, Calif.; John Oda, Honolulu, Hawaii

12:30 p.m. / 7:30 a.m. – Jake Istnick, Dallas, Texas; Doug Hanzel, Savannah, Ga.; Hidetoshi Yoshihara, Irvine, Calif.

12:40 p.m. / 7:40 a.m. – Michael McCoy, Des Moines, Iowa; Tyler Strafaci, Davie, Fla.; Lee Whitehead, Knoxville, Tenn.

12:50 p.m. / 7:50 a.m. – Sean McGuire, Twinsburg, Ohio; Stuart Smallwood, Paris, Texas; Kyler Tate, Winter Garden, Fla.

1 p.m. / 8 a.m. – Rico Hoey, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.; Tanner Napier, Paris, Texas; Cole Miller, New Tripoli, Pa.

1:10 p.m. / 8:10 a.m. – Ian Holt, Stow, Ohio; Scottie Scheffler, Dallas, Texas; Travis Rose, Nicholasville, Ky.

1:20 p.m. / 8:20 a.m. – Maverick Antcliff, Augusta, Ga.; Braden Bailey, Groves, Texas; Evan Russell, Grantham, N.H.

1:30 p.m. / 8:30 a.m. – Rylee Iacolucci, South Cle Elum, Wash.; Bill Carlson, Fargo, N.D.; Doug Ghim, Arlington Heights, Ill.

1:40 p.m. / 8:40 a.m. – Zac Dittmer, Kansas City, Mo.; Shotaro Ban, San Jose, Calif.; Micah Rodgers, Odessa, Texas

1:50 p.m. / 8:50 a.m. – Claudio Correa, Chile; Nicolas Paxson, Cincinnati, Ohio; Mark Cusic, California, Md.

2 p.m. / 9 a.m. – Sam Bernstein, New York, N.Y.; Dan Ellis, Lansing, Mich.; Alec Bone, Phoenix, Ariz.

Monday (Aug. 17) South Course, hole #1 / Tuesday (Aug. 18), North Course, hole #10

7 a.m. / Noon – Mack Foster, Knoxville, Ill.; Vinay Ramesh, Newtown, Pa.; Johnny Decker, Verona, Wis.

7:10 a.m. / 12:10 p.m. – Robbie Ziegler, Madison, Wis.; Adrian Meronk, Poland; Sydney Chung, Jackson, Tenn.

7:20 a.m. / 12:20 p.m. – Pep Angles, Spain; Spencer Painton, Aurora, Colo.; Joe Parkinson, Alpine, Utah

7:30 a.m. / 12:30 p.m. – Lee McCoy, Athens, Ga.; Jake Yount, Danville, Calif.; Brandon Mancheno, Jacksonville, Fla.

7:40 a.m. / 12:40 p.m. – Edwin Yi, Beaumont, Calif.; Scott Harvey, Greensboro, N.C.; Bryce Geraghty, Cantonment, Fla.

7:50 a.m. / 12:50 p.m. – William Rainey, Charlotte, N.C.; Jake Koppenberg, Bellingham, Wash.; Christopher Kupniewski, Erie, Pa.

8 a.m. / 1 p.m. – Alex Lee, Sacramento, Calif.; Ewen Ferguson, Scotland; Joshua Irving, Fort Worth, Texas

8:10 a.m. / 1:10 p.m. – Drew Lethem, Olathe, Kan.; Jonathan Diianni, Kernersville, N.C.; Jorge Garcia, Venezuela

8:20 a.m. / 1:20 p.m. – Andrew Orischak, Hilton Head Island, S.C.; Jack Wallace, Beverly, N.J.; Peter Jones, Owatonna, Minn.

8:30 a.m. / 1:30 p.m. – Corey Pereira, Cameron Park, Calif.; Daniel De La Garza, Mexico; John Michael O'Toole, Pinson, Ala.

8:40 a.m. / 1:40 p.m. – Cole Hammer, Houston, Texas; Tyler Lewis, Grand Blanc, Mich.; Eric Ricard, Shreveport, La.

8:50 a.m. / 1:50 p.m. – Jake Knapp, Costa Mesa, Calif.; Philip Knowles, Bradenton, Fla.; Kyle Mueller, Watkinsville, Ga.

9 a.m. / 2 p.m. – Conner Kumpula, Albany, Ore.; Ryann Ree, Redondo Beach, Calif.; Curtis Luck, Australia

Monday (Aug. 17), South Course, hole #10 / Tuesday (Aug. 18), North Course, hole #1

7 a.m. / Noon – Nick Eberhardt, Lake Wylie, S.C.; Tyler Collier, Chico, Calif.; Stephen Franken, Raleigh, N.C.

7:10 a.m. / 12:10 p.m. – Nicholas Ross, Canada; Matt Oshrine, Baltimore, Md.; Sean Crocker, Westlake Village, Calif.

7:20 a.m. / 12:20 p.m. – Nathan Yankovich, Blacklick, Ohio; Nick Hardy, Northbrook, Ill.; John Clare, Camillus, N.Y.

7:30 a.m. / 12:30 p.m. – Roman Robledo, Harlingen, Texas; Michael Bernard, Huber Heights, Ohio; Dylan Wu, Medford, Ore.

7:40 a.m. / 12:40 p.m. – Nathan Smith, Pittsburgh, Pa.; Zach Gaugert, Waunakee, Wis.; Brett McIntosh, Canada

7:50 a.m. / 12:50 p.m. – David Szewczul, Farmington, Conn.; Nicholas Cummings, Weston, Mass.; Bryson DeChambeau, Clovis, Calif.

8 a.m. / 1 p.m. – Hank Lebioda, Winter Springs, Fla.; Sean Walsh, Keller, Texas; Matthew Yun, Flushing, N.Y.

8:10 a.m. / 1:10 p.m. – Ashton Van Horne, Georgetown, Ky.; Matthew NeSmith, North Augusta, S.C.; Freddy Thomas, Lakeville, Minn.

8:20 a.m. / 1:20 p.m. – Evan Katz, Washington, D.C.; Brian Scherer, Midland, Texas; Corby Segal, Santa Clarita, Calif.

8:30 a.m. / 1:30 p.m. – TBD; Aaron Wise, Lake Elsinore, Calif.; Troy Moses, Australia

8:40 a.m. / 1:40 p.m. – Hunter Stewart, Nicholasville, Ky.; Christopher Petefish, Danville, Calif.; Eric Banks, Canada

8:50 a.m. / 1:50 p.m. – Cheng Jin, Ppls Repl. of China; Christopher Hickman, Centreville, Md.; Carter Jenkins, Raleigh, N.C.

9 a.m. / 2 p.m. – Troy Evans, Barre, Vt.; Noah Goodwin, Corinth, Texas; William Thomson, Pittsford, N.Y.

Monday (Aug. 17), South Course, hole #1 / Tuesday (Aug. 18), North Course, hole #10

Noon / 7 a.m. – Taylor Hancock, Clearwater, Fla.; Sam Gillis, San Jacinto, Calif.; Joshua Baskins, Reno, Nev.

12:10 p.m. / 7:10 a.m. – Sean Kelly, Staten Island, N.Y.; Jake Harpe, Griffin, Ga.; Franklin Huang, Poway, Calif.

12:20 p.m. / 7:20 a.m. – Harrison Shih, Saddle River, N.J.; Sam Stevens, Wichita, Kan.; Adam Ball, Glen Allen, Va.

12:30 p.m. / 7:30 a.m. – Charles Danielson, Osceola, Wis.; Richard Gilkey, Bakersfield, Calif.; Erick Alonso, Haworth, N.J.

12:40 p.m. / 7:40 a.m. – Patrick Tallent, Vienna, Va.; Roberto Lebrija, Mexico; Michael Nagy, Manistique, Mich.

12:50 p.m. / 7:50 a.m. – Noah Woolsey, Pleasanton, Calif.; Brett Coletta, Australia; Zach Seabolt, Raleigh, N.C.

1 p.m. / 8 a.m. – Hudson Carpenter, Stillwater, Minn.; Will Long, Gastonia, N.C.; Keith Unikel, Potomac, Md.

1:10 p.m. / 8:10 a.m. – Zachary Healy, Peachtree Corners, Ga.; Denny McCarthy, Rockville, Md.; Joey Savoie, Canada

1:20 p.m. / 8:20 a.m. – Garrett Rank, Canada; Jordan Woolf, Fort Worth, Texas; Ricky Castillo, Yorba Linda, Calif.

1:30 p.m. / 8:30 a.m. – David Snyder, McAllen, Texas; Jonathan Garrick, Atherton, Calif.; Jake Staiano, Cherry Hills, Colo.

1:40 p.m. / 8:40 a.m. – Sam Horsfield, England; Kieran Purcell, Nutley, N.J.; Hagen Fell, Austin, Texas

1:50 p.m. / 8:50 a.m. – Michael Hyland, Medford, N.J.; Antonio Murdaca, Australia; Ryan Pelletier, Mansfield, Mass.

2 p.m. / 9 a.m. – Marc Chandonnet, Lowell, Mass.; Roman Aragon, Mission Viejo, Calif.; James Kneen, White Lake, Mich.

Monday (Aug. 17), South Course, hole #10 / Tuesday (Aug. 18), North Course, hole #1

Noon / 7 a.m. – Cameron Davis, Australia; Kenneth Fadke, Hobbs, N.M.; Adam Wood, Zionsville, Ind.

12:10 p.m. / 7:10 a.m. – Tye Waller, Griffin, Ga.; Ross Kronberg, Norwalk, Conn.; Stoney Crouch, Mount Juliet, Tenn.

12:20 p.m. / 7:20 a.m. – Brad Nurski, St. Joseph, Mo.; Sepp Straka, Valdosta, Ga.; Chase Koepka, West Palm Beach, Fla.

12:30 p.m. / 7:30 a.m. – Jimmy Jones, Tampa, Fla.; Garett Reband, Fort Worth, Texas; Jordan Niebrugge, Mequon, Wis.

12:40 p.m. / 7:40 a.m. – Jackson Juerling, Indianapolis, Ind.; Stuart Macdonald, Canada; Arthur Kim, Tigard, Ore.

12:50 p.m. / 7:50 a.m. – Alex Burge, Bloomington, Ill.; Nick Marsh, England; Kyle Danford, Fort Collins, Colo.

1 p.m. / 8 a.m. – Jordan Gold, Orange, Calif.; Taylor McCullum, Hoover, Ala.; Garrett Browning, Imperial, Pa.

1:10 p.m. / 8:10 a.m. – Austin Connelly, Irving, Texas; Andy Ogletree, Little Rock, Miss.; David Cooke, Bolingbrook, Ill.

1:20 p.m. / 8:20 a.m. – Austin Eckroat, Edmond, Okla.; Andrew Kozan, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.; Bryan Norton, Mission Hills, Kan.

1:30 p.m. / 8:30 a.m. – Jordan Lewis, Murphysboro, Ill.; Bryan Baumgarten, Granite Bay, Calif.; Gabriel Lench, Oviedo, Fla.

1:40 p.m. / 8:40 a.m. – Tyler Saunders, Canada; James Holley, Chatsworth, Calif.; Chelso Barrett, Surry, N.H.

1:50 p.m. / 8:50 a.m. – Kyle Jones, Snowflake, Ariz.; Austin Smotherman, Loomis, Calif.; Jared Bettcher, Auburn, Ala.

2 p.m. / 9 a.m. – Cameron Willis, Eaton, Ohio; Reed Hrynewich, Muskegon, Mich.; Jonah Texeira, Porter Ranch, Calif.

 Bernd Wiesberger with the Open de France trophy. Picture: Getty Images

Darren Clarke and Shane Lowry have backed the European Tour’s move not to sanction the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational next year.

With the 2016 calendar packed tight because of golf’s return to the Olympics, the Americans scheduled the Firestone event opposite the 100th anniversary of the Alstom Open de France.

The European Tour has now decided not to include the Akron event on its 2016 schedule, meaning it won’t count for Ryder Cup qualification.

And while that could be blow to Shane Lowry’s hopes of defending his title from June 30 to July 3, or his Ryder Cup hopes, he understands Europe’s stance.

Admitting it was a show of strength by Europe, Lowry added: "It’s also a bit disappointing even though I haven’t played the French Open for three years.

"It will be hard not to go back and defend. But it’s a Ryder Cup year and it’s going to be a difficult decision to make for everyone. 

"Who knows what Rory will do, or Kaymer, Stenson and Poulter. We will see nearer the date or at the start of next year when I set out my schedule."

Ryder Cup skipper Clarke said he’d be encouraging his players to play in France, adding: "If they’re close to qualifying on the World Points list or they’re close to qualifying through the Race to Dubai Points List, it will be a tough decision for the guys to make. 

"It’s a tough decision for Shane since he won his first World Golf Championship at Firestone, and he may have a decision to make come next summer.

"But in terms of what the European Tour has done, I think they've done the right thing by standing beside one of their mainstays of the European Tour. 

"The French Open is steeped in history, around a wonderful venue that we have the 2018 Ryder Cup around. They’ve showed loyalty to the French Open and rightly so."

The European Tour said in a statement:

The European Tour has today announced that, due to a date clash with next season’s Alstom Open de France, it will not sanction the 2016 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.The Alstom Open de France is the oldest national Open Championship in Continental Europe, and has been a fixture on The European Tour International Schedule since the Tour’s formation in 1972. Furthermore, next year’s tournament at Le Golf National from Thursday June 30 to Sunday July 3 is not only in the week in the calendar occupied by the Alstom Open de France since 2009, it is also the 100th staging of the event.Withdrawing the sanction means that the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational will not be part of The 2016 European Tour International Schedule, nor will money won in it count towards The Race to Dubai or for Ryder Cup points.Further details surrounding the 2016 Alstom Open de France will be released in due course, including information on the increase in the prize fund.Keith Pelley, Chief Executive Officer of The European Tour, said: “The Albatros Course at Le Golf National is currently undergoing renovation to prepare not only for next year’s landmark tournament, but also for the staging of The Ryder Cup in 2018.“The Alstom Open de France has been a staple on our Tour since 1972 and we are confident that next year’s event, with an increased prize fund alongside the current renovations to the golf course, will properly reflect the importance of the tournament alongside the 100th anniversary celebrations.”

The PGA Tour said in a statement:

"Coordinating a worldwide professional golf schedule always has its challenges.  Those challenges were even more acute for 2016 with addition of golf's inclusion in the Olympic Games. Several events were impacted and while we have had numerous conversations with the European Tour with respect to the scheduling of the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational, we were ultimately unable to find a solution that satisfied all parties. We look forward to staging a successful Bridgestone Invitational in 2016."

Shane Lowry speaks to RTE Radio's Greg Allen in Wisconsin

Ryder Cup skipper Darren Clarke expects Shane Lowry to make his Ryder Cup team next year and join Ireland’s major winners.

And with the Americans looking for their first clean sweep in the majors this week for 40 years, he’s betting the Clara ace can be a force for Europe soon.

Clarke said: “Obviously to win a World Golf Championship event, which is just one level below a major, is a huge accomplishment. 

“And Shane’s game has been developing over this past few years and he's been getting stronger and stronger.

"He's very comfortable playing in America. And I think a breakthrough win for him last week is very important for him at this stage of his career. 

"He's going to gain a massive amount of confidence from it and go forward. I fully expect him to be contending for a Ryder Cup spot next year.”

“Whether that happens or not, we shall see but it was brilliant to see how well he played and handled himself down the stretch on Sunday.

“He maybe got a good break here and there, but obviously he played fantastic, and was the deserved winner.”

On Lowry’s credentials as a potential major winner, he said: “If he keeps playing the way he did last week, I think he'll certainly be contending. 

“You need a few breaks, but certainly he's got the game to win. 

“After doing what he did last week, I'm sure he will gain a massive amount of confidence. 

"I don't think there's anything to get in his way. He needs the right breaks at the right time. And hopefully he’ll add to the list of Irish major winners.”

Padraig Harrington spent 80 minutes on the putting green with Bob Rotella, working on his attitude more than his putting.

Padraig Harrington will play in pain in the US PGA as he fears that time is running out in his bid to add to his major haul.

The Dubliner turns 44 on August 31 and while he’s hoping he’s an exception to his theory that a player gets no more than 20 years at the top, he knows the end is approaching as he nears the end of his 20th season.

Playing on pain killing injections after suffering a suspected cartilage tear in his right knee playing tennis with his kids last month, he said: “If it wasn’t a major the week, I wouldn’t be playing.”

Asked if it was worth the risk, he added: “If I had to have a crutch and a little seat to sit on between shots I’d be playing.

“As much as I would tell you that age doesn’t make a difference, and I believe I have another ten years of being competitive, I’m running out of time rather than not.”

Ireland’s three-time major winner might struggle on the greens these days but he knows he can win another big one having ended his five-year drought in the Honda Classic and contended for the Open in the final round.

Ready to suffer for a fourth major win, he said: “I have had a cortisone injection to dull the pain, because the problem was starting to badly affect how I was walking.

“I was limping, so I had to stop limping or I was going to have other problems. So the injection was just to get rid of the pain so I could walk properly and so not do other damage.

“The downside of that is that you don’t realise how much pain you are in and you then overdo things.

“I am not a great fan of, injections hiding the pain, but I didn’t want to create some problem.

“I can’t see it affecting me playing last week, it did for a couple of holes, not to any great extent in terms of my performance, nothing more to it than that.

"It will be a long walk and I just putted for an hour and 20 minutes and it started to get sore at the end.

“So putting puts a bit of strain on it but while I’m happy with my tee to green play, my wedge play isn’t good and putting isn’t good, so those are the two areas where I have to find something."

Harrington's putting problems are a mental challenge in that he now finds he tenses up and putts more pressure on himself over putts. As a result, he's even less likely to hole them and being more accepting on his misses is key, as he explained after a long session on the putting green on Monday with Dr Bob Rotella, a key member of his team alongside Professor Steve Peters:

"Attitude – that's all I am working on. No technique at all. Just trying to find the right attitude, just really trying to get .... trying to work and not worry about the outcome, trying to be more accepting of missing. "Golf is always a game of mistakes and managing making mistakes and I obviously have been a great putter throughout my career but I am definitely wanting not to miss more than ever. "You get into grooves like that where you think you can’t afford to miss, you think you have got to play great or hole everything, you get caught up in that when your results aren’t as good as you want them to be and you want to have a big week. "Whereas, if things were going well, you are turning up and things are falling into place, you are not worrying about the odd missed putt. Q You are probably going to birdie the next hole anyway? "I am in the opposite camp at the moment, everything seems to be costly to me. Whereas if you are playing great...."

Harrington originally hurt his knee playing soccer with his sons Paddy and Ciaran four years ago and while hasn’t played soccer since.

He insists he’ll never stop playing with his children, explaining: “At the end of the day, life wouldn’t be worth living if I couldn’t run around with my kids.”

This will be his 16th appearance in the US PGA and having won it in 2008 and led The Open in the final round just last month, he knows he can win a fourth grand slam title.

He said: “I have more club-head speed now than I ever had in my career. I’d be more worried about 20 year career than age, so if you start at 18, you’re finished at 38. 

“If you start at 24, you’re finished at 44. I’d be more worried about that. Nicklaus won in ’86 at 46,  but Nicklaus had virtually given up after 1980. 

“He got thrown a Major so I think the golfing gods were nice to him in that sense.

“So you’ve got to understand the nature of the game. Your Faldos, your Woosie’s, your Lyles, probably even Monty, none of them made 20 years. I’m trying to be different and get past that.

“You could argue that Jim Furyk has, and you could probably pick one or two that has, but most of the guys, if they’ve achieved their goal in their career.

“And clearly I have over-achieved in the sense that I wouldn’t have had those goals, it’s hard to keep going afterwards.

“Philip Walton achieved his goal  of making the Ryder Cup. What comes after that? 

“You could pick a lot of players in a similar situation, that once they’ve peaked, it’s hard to contend.”

Harrington’s putting continues to be his biggest headache but he’s hoping that being more accepting of missing putts will help him mentally.

He joint led the Open after five holes in the final round only to see his challenge derailed by a lost ball in the gorse that led to double bogey at the sixth.

While he admitted his putting is not as good as it was, he said: “I hadn’t holed everything, I hadn’t played majestic and yet I was still leading. That’s a nice feeling.

“To feel like you can be leading an Open and feel like you can win a Major well within yourself is exactly how I was when I was winning my Majors, so that’s a good place to be.”

Shane Lowry and Padraig Harrington had another of their short game contests at Whistling Straits. Victory on this occasion went to the the senior player. 

Shane Lowry might have his PGA Tour card in the bag but the man from the Faithful County has vowed to remain true to Ireland.

Like Padraig Harrington, he won’t move to US and buy a house in Florida because he loves living in Ireland too much.

Lowry said: “I don’t think I’lll ever move out of Ireland. I think I’ll do it the way Padraig has done it and just travel over and back.”

Harrington was “thrilled” to see Lowry won the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational on Sunday and like Darren Clarke, he’s convinced the Clara ace can win a major sooner rather than later.

Recalling how Lowry won the Irish Open as an amateur in his first pro start, Harri said: “Shane likes skipping things. It is incredible.

“And if you can win a world event, you can win a major. In fact, he is unlucky that it is not a Major because the standard of the golf course and the standard of the field is every bit the same.

“Can he win a major now? Yes, he is capable of doing it. You would still think in the natural progression of things he will lose a couple before he goes and wins one, but Shane has never done that.

“It hasn’t bothered him in the past, so I wouldn’t be living by that rule and to be honest very few people in golf live by  any rule now.

“They take their chances, Shane took it last week.”

If you struggle with pitches from tight lies, watch @ShaneLowryGolf do it. #18inches @PGAChampionship #softhands pic.twitter.com/ME71fxQm8h

— Brian Keogh (@IrishGolfDesk) August 11, 2015

Lowry has played more in the US this year and now that he has his PGA Tour card, Harrington is delighted to have a regular buddy in the US.

Harrington beamed: “I think that’s going to be a great move for me that Shane is coming here.

“Socially, I have somebody to practice with and to live Irish things with when you’re over here —  talk football, or Gaelic or hurling or soccer, which you miss. So it’s big for me.

“Shane has dipped his toe in the water over here but the hardest thing for any European coming across here is the different culture and I think Shane loves home more than anybody else. 

“That will be the hardest thing for him, playing over here for four weeks in a row and what's he doing in the second week when he misses the cut, he can't fly home to see his friends back in Ireland and come back late on the Tuesday evening. 

“What's he going to do late in the year when he's tired and he's fed up with having played 25 events and he's missed the cut. 

"That's going to be his hardest thing and the acclimatisation to life over here. These are things that he's going to have to figure out and watch out for.”