Irish Golf News

Gary McNeill (Royal Portrush Professional) and John White (Team Manager) watching Paul McBride, Gavin Moynihan and Jack Hume practice to the 12th hole for the 2015 Home International Matches at Royal Portrush Golf Club (11/08/2015). Picture by Pat Cashman

Great Britain and Ireland captain Nigel Edwards will be in the US when the Walker Cup team is officially announced on August 24.

That's the day after the US Amateur Championship at Olympia Fields in the Chicago suburbs, where Gary Hurley, Paul Dunne and Cormac Sharvin will be bidding to confirm their expected selection with solid performances.

In what is now an example of the stark reality of the modern amateur game, it is at a USGA event on a parkland course rather than a GB& I event on a links that the final decisions will be made.

But that's not to say that this week's Home Internationals, which begin at Royal Portrush today, will not have a bearing on the final decision of Edwards and the selectors.

Ireland defend the Raymond Trophy with four new caps — The Island's Paul McBride, Castle's Alex Gleeson, Knock's Colin Fairweather and Tullamore's Stuart Grehan.

But from a Walker Cup perspective, all eyes may well be on the performances of Naas' Jack Hume, who is believed by man to have an excellent chance of selection for Royal Lytham and St Annes next month.

 

With the strength of the Dunne-Hurley partnership already well known — they've dropped just half a point in their last nine matches together — Hume can strengthen his hand by showing his good understanding with 2013 Walker Cup player Gavin Moynihan alongside when they take on England's Ben Taylor and Tomasz Anderson in the opening foursomes.

That Hume is pitted against Jimmy Mullen at No 1 in the singles is also fascinating and perhaps an indicator of the battle for places in Edwards' 10-man side to face the USA from September 12-13.

The Irish Home International Team front row (from left) Rowan Lester, Colm Campbell, Tony Goode (Team Captain), Michael Connaughton (President, GUI), Dermot McElroy and John Ross Galbraith. Back row (from left) Neil Manchip (National Coach), Stuart Grehan, Paul McBride, Colin Fairweather, Robin Dawson, Alex Gleeson, Gavin Moynihan and Jack Hume at the opening ceremony of the 2015 Home International Matches at Royal Portrush Golf Club. (11/08/2015). Picture by Pat Cashman

Home Internationals, Royal Portrush Golf Club, County Antrim
Supported by Fairstone Financial Management
Wednesday 12th – Friday 14th August 2015

England. Picture by Pat Cashman

Scotland. Picture by Pat Cashman

Wales. Picture by Pat Cashman

DAY ONEIreland v England (Ireland names first)Foursomes (7.30am at 10-minute intervals)

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

Singles (12.30pm at nine-minute intervals)

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

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

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

Singles (2pm at nine-minute intervals)

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

Donal Gleeson fired a six under par 66 to win the inaugural Ballykisteen Pro-Am sponsored by Pierse Motors.

The Old Conna professional, who was stung by bees while playing the 11th, finished one shot ahead of Ballybunion's Duncan Purcell at the Des Smyth designed course in Co Tipperary.

Gleeson produced a flawless opening nine holes, going to the turn in four under 32 with birdies at the third, fourth, seventh and ninth.

Another birdie followed at the 10th, before a set-back at the 11th when he dropped a shot after his encounter with the bees but he finished with two more birdies at the 15th and 18th.

Coollattin's Paul Masterson and amateur partners Bill Hanley, Barra O'Dwyer and Brendan O'Keefe topped the Pro-Am leaderboard with 101 points.

Ballykisteen Pro-Am presented by Pierse Motors, Ballykisteen Golf & Country Club (Par 72)

Detailed scores

1 D Gleeson 66

2 D Purcell 67

T3 C McNamara; N O'Briain; C Moriarty; D Mooney 68

T7 P Walton; D Ryan 70

T9 D Higgins; G Robinson; P Materson; N Murray 71

Team Pro-Am

1 P Masterson 101pts

2 F Holly 99pts

3 N O'Briain 96pt

Shane Lowry, seen here chatting to reporter Bernie McGuire, was in relaxed mood at Whistling Straits on Monday. Picture: Brian Keogh

Six years after sitting disconsolately in his hotel room in Akron wondering if he had the game to play with the big boys, Shane Lowry stands on top of the world safe in the knowledge that he’s now a man to be feared.

In fact, the new world No 19 began life as a World Golf Championship winner Sunday by setting his sights on Rory McIlroy’s Race to Dubai crown and his first major title in this week’s US PGA.

There was no wild party for a larger than life character who has transformed himself over the last two years into a player capable of just about anything in the game, just a few beers with the likes of Padraig Harrington and the caddies.

And he’s clearly bursting with confidence after proving to himself he really can produce the goods under pressure and hold off the game’s greatest players down the stretch.

Itching already to get back at it after having just “a couple of drinks” in celebration on Sunday night, Lowry is targeting a big week on the shores of Lake Michigan that would help him close the €770,661 gap on McIlroy in the Race to Dubai.

“I was walking down the 14th yesterday looking at leaderboards and saw names like Bubba Watson, Justin Rose and Jim Furyk chasing me down,” Lowry said yesterday as he pecked his way through hundreds of texts and tweets of congratulations.

“But I grabbed the bull by the horns and I won the tournament. And when you do something like that, you will always have that with you. 

“I now know that when I go into majors and big tournaments, I am going to be one of the players that people won’t want to see on the leaderboard.

“They will be saying, ‘Oh, Shane Lowry is chasing me down.’  So yes, I feel I can win the US PGA. I know going into this week that if I can put myself into a good position going into the back nine that it’s a case of ‘lets see what I can do from there’.”

Lowry didn’t go over the top with his celebrations on Sunday night, settling for a few beers with Harrington and a few of the caddies when he got to Whistling Straits

Admitting he’s now far more professional about everything he does, he said: “People have the wrong idea about me, but I don’t mind that at all. I am my own person. 

“The people around me know how hard I work and how much effort I have put into it and that’s all that matters. 

“People probably think I was out until all hours last night celebrating, but at the end of the day there is a big week this week. 

“Okay, I did have a few drinks — Padraig and Ronan Flood, Ken Comboy and Ricky Elliott and Pete Cowan were there. We had a couple of drinks in a bar in Sheboygan and were out of there at half 11. 

“The lads were happy for me and it was great to see them. But it is onwards and upwards now. That’s the way it is. 

“I feel like  I have matured as a person over the last umber of years, especially the last two years and I do treat myself and my body a lot better than I used to.  And I feel like I am getting the rewards now.”

Lowry is fourth in the Race to Dubai standings behind McIlroy, Danny Willett and Open runner up Louis Oosthuizen with €2,104,984.

And while he’s secured his PGA Tour card and could qualify for the FedEx Cup playoffs with a big week in the US PGA, a maiden major win would catapult him to superstar status.

He sees now reason why he can’t  win again his week on a course that will suit his game.

“It was a course I liked back in 2010— a good driver’s course —so the way I am hitting it, it will be good.”

While his FedEx Cup tally only begins this week as he wasn’t a full member until he won on Sunday, he’s not ruling that out either if he can have a big performance in Wisconsin. 

“I had a look at the Race to Dubai rankings and the world ranking when I got up today and to see yourself 19th in the world and fourth in the money list, it’s nice,” he said. “You say to yourself, that’s pretty cool. 

“And I know that I can win the Race to Dubai. To be honest, for the rest of the year, that’s probably my goal.”

McIlroy texted Lowry on Sunday night to congratulate him on his “pretty ballsy” victory and it was that ability to produce the shots and the putts under pressure that pleased him most.

Lowry said: “The par on 14 probably won me the tournament but the best moment was when I had that 10 footer on the last for birdie and I knew two putts would probably do it for me. 

“To hole that putt, to do that, says a lot about me. It shows I’ve got what it takes. I can do it when I need to.”

It’s been a rollercoaster three years for Lowry since he won his second tour title in Portugal in 2012.

He’s had a few close calls, finishing second to McIlroy in the BMW PGA at Wentworth last year and then coming up just short in the US Open in June before missing the cut in The Open at St Andrews.

He said: “I remember sitting in my hotel room in Akron on Friday evening on 16 over par in 2009, thinking to myself, am I good enough at all. 

“All of sudden six years later, I am standing on the 18th green with the trophy. It’s a bit weird. But it shows you how far I have come. 

“A lot of it is to do with the people I have surrounded myself with over the last few years. I put into play a good team of people. 

“I have Neil Manchip as coach since day one and Conor Ridge Horizon since day one  and Dermo on the bag basically since day one.

“And then I have brought in Robbie Cannon for fitness, and he’s been a big help this year and Shane Lawlor the physio, who is a big help the last couple of years. They are all good, positive people and there is a nice vibe. 

“Obviously my golf has improved and I have worked hard but I definitely owe those people a lot and I feel fortunate it has all come together nicely.

"I remember Conor putting his arm around me after The Open and saying, you just have to keep at it. Golf will pay you back when you least expect it. Thankfully it was last week.”

View image | gettyimages.com

Rory McIlroy could have taken a longer, safer route to the 18th green at Whistling Straits. Instead he bounded down a steep hill like a mountain goat who’d just spotted a particularly juicy clump of grass.

Ruptured ankle ligaments? Clearly not any more. The July 4 football injury that forced the world No 1 to miss the Scottish Open and his defence of The Open and the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational last week is well and truly history.

In fact, McIlroy surprised waiting reporters but revealing that he started hitting golf balls again just a fortnight after the kick-about that caused the problem — on July 20, the day Zach Johnson claimed the Claret Jug.

Okay, he hasn’t played a competitive round since he tied for ninth Shane Lowry in the US Open and will have been idle for 53 days when he tees it up in round one. 

But having walked and played 72 holes at Quinta do Lago last week, he admitted that his trainer Dr Steve McGregor had to hold him back and stop him teeing it up in Akron.

Rust is now his biggest problem and while it took hime three attempts to hit the 18th green as he played his 45th hole of practice at Whistling Straits yesterday, he’s confident he’ll be ready for his date with Johnson and the pretender to world No 1 throne, Jordan Spieth 

Having said he wouldn’t come back until he was 100 percent fit and 100 percent competitive, the question about the latter was apposite.

Will he be 100 percent competitive? 

View image | gettyimages.com

“Yes,” he said with conviction. “I was being held back by Steve. I wanted to play four rounds in a row and I thought Bridgestone might be a good way to do that.  But we wanted to do it behind closed doors without anyone really knowing what was going on. 

“I passed that fitness test and felt like it was the right time to come. It wasn’t like I was trying to get back for this, I am just feeling good enough to go this week. Steve [wasn’t holding me back out of nervousness] — he was just going through all the fitness protocols and that was basically it.”

McIlroy could lose his world No 1 ranking to Masters and US Open champion Spieth this week as well as his lead in the European Tour’s Race to Dubai.

But he says he hasn’t rushed back, insisting: “Obviously it’s important to remain world number one, I’ve made that clear. It’s been a year since I got it back.

“But it’s just about playing well and winning tournaments and that’s my main focus this week.”

Admitting that Lowry is another rival now, he said: “Shane’s victory was fantastic. I played 18 on Sunday morning and came back to the house we are renting at watched it. 

“Once he got into the lead, he hit a couple of wonder shots— that shot on 10, which was incredible And he holed some big par putt putts down the stretch

“I texted him last night and said it was a pretty ballsy victory. And yes, he could be in the Olympics too, depending on how everything goes the next 52 weeks.”

McIlroy leads the Race to Dubai by just €247,570 from Danny Willett with Louis Oosthuizen and Lowry close behind.

He said: “I’ve let everyone get closer to me to Race to Dubai — Louis and Danny did well at Open and now Shane is a rival as well. So I need to take care of that as well.”

The 26-year old  played 18 holes at Whistling Straits on Saturday and Sunday and nine yesterday.

He plans to play just nine holes today and tomorrow and reckons he’ll be fresher than most this week and for the rest of the PGA Tour season.

He said: “I’ve never won the Fedex Cup so that’s a priority of mine. It’s been eight or nine weeks since I’ve played in the US Open so at least I will be fresher than some of the guys.

Revealing he’s been hitting balls since the final day of The Open on July 20, he said: “I have played quite a lot of golf since then and it feels good. I am finding the middle of the clubface. 

“Obviously it’s difficult to keep the short game sharp but basically I’ve  been chipping and putting since it happened, with my [protective] boot on. So I have kept that part of the game sharp.”

As for his ankle stability, he was adamant he was 100 percent.

“I can go at the ball as hard as I can with the driver, and it actually feels better if I really go at it, because my left foot spins out of the way when I hit the driver anyway,” he said “If I rolled onto my left side like a lot of guys to, then it would create a few problems. But because my ankle spins out of the way, it takes a lot of pressure off it.

“The hardest thing after seven weeks is just the competitiveness of what it’s like playing a tournament."

He had a seven-week winter break before finishing second on his seasonal debut in Abu Dhabi earlier this year but admits this is a tougher prospect.

“It is okay coming back and playing in Abu Dhabi as your first week back but coming back and playing a major is a bit different," he said.  “So that’s why I was playing just one ball, trying to keep score. I am just trying to get as many rounds in as possible. 

“I played 72 holes walking in Portugal last week, played pretty good and kept score there as well, so everything feels good. That sharpness and that competitive edge is the thing that you hope is there.”

And with that he was off, bounding up a steep path to go and do some putting.

Cork Golf Club

Cian McNamara carded a six under par round of 66 to win the Cork Pro-Am at Cork GC on Monday.

The 29-year-old edged out Order of Merit leader Eamonn Brady (Clontarf) and John Dwyer (Ashbourne GC) to secure his first win of the summer.

The Monkstown professional got off to a quick start, rattling off a trio of birdies at the second, third and fourth. Another birdie followed at the sixth before his only dropped shot of the day came at the par four eighth as he went to the turn in three under 33.

He continued his solid round with birdies at the 10th and 16th as he came home in three under 33.

Brady failed to fire on the opening nine holes, going to the turn in level par 36 with birdie at the par five fifth, offset by a bogey at he ninth. He clicked into gear on the back nine, roaring home in five under par 31 to finish with a 67.

Dwyer will be left tor rue a dropped shot at the last which cost him a share of first place but he had the consolation of guiding his amateur partners to victory in the team event with 92 points.

Cork Pro-Am, Cork GC (Par 72)

Detailed scores

1 C McNamara 66

T2 E Brady, J Dwyer 67

4 N O'Briain 70

T5 J Bolger, D Higgins, B McGovern 71

T8 D Sugrue, D O'Sullivan lvl, M Staunton, P O'Hagan

Pro-Am

1 John Dywer 92

T2 D Mooney, M Staunton 91

Get in. Shane Lowry prepares to unleash another fist pump.

Shane Lowry was on top of the world in Akron last night and thanking his lucky stars for his WGC-Bridgestone Invitational win after a ricochet in the town they call Rubber City.

A dramatic final hole birdie, where his approach from the left rough at Firestone hit a tree near the green and finished up 11 feet away to set up a winning three, gave him the $1.57m  pay day, a three year PGA Tour exemption and a jump of 29 spots to 19th in the world.

"It's fairly special to go out and do that against such a good field," he said. "A bogey free 66on a golf course like that, I know that will stand to me for the rest of my career and hopefully I've got a long career ahead of me."

 

Lowry's rub of the green—his ball filtered through the branches and leaves to finish 11 feet for the stick when he was under pressure to make par and stay ahead of clubhouse leader Bubba Watson— was nothing the 28-year old Clara man didn't deserve.

"I made a great par on 17 and on 18 I am not going got lie, I was pretty nervous standing on the 18th tee," Lowry said. "I have watched this tournament a lot in the past and you stand on that 18th tee and it's very familiar. You stand there and think, this is what I am here for. This is why I came this week.

"I hit a poor enough tee shot to be honest. It was quite a long way left. One of the worst tee shots I've hit all week. But I was just going down there praying I could get it down there around the green. I got down and I had a pretty horrific lie. It was sitting down in a hole, almost like someone had stood on it. It was where the crowd was walking and I just said to Dermot I'd just try to hit sand wedge and get it down to the front of the green. 

"I pulled it. It came out a but too low and it went into the tree." 

Then, grinning, he added: "And the rest is history."

Shane Lowry's ball at 18 went through tree branches and wound up 11 feet from the hole. He appreciated it. pic.twitter.com/RMczwneO1J

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) August 9, 2015

It is a huge win that brings to an end to nearly three years of near misses — 1,029 days or 2 years and nine months to be exact.

The bad luck and frustrating afternoons since he followed his 2009 Irish Open win as an amateur with his first as a pro in the Portugal Masters have simply piled up for Lowry and nowhere was his frustration more evident than in St Andrews just three weeks ago, where he took eight on the Road Hole in the first round and ended up missing the cut in an Open Championship he felt he might have challenged to win.

Given the display he put on in Akron — long, straight driving, great wedge play and brilliant putting—he was right to fancy his chances. 

But now that he has removed a monkey from his back in terms of worrying about his US Tour card, his place in the world's Top 50 or getting that long overdue win, he can go about his business in peace for 24 hours—the USPGA hype starts tomorrow— and give his talent room to breath at last

"It's hard to believe," he said on Sky Sports. "You know, I played good today. I made the right decisions. I got a bit of luck as well, which is nice. It's great because I have been down on myself this year and things haven't been going my way."

On his birdie at the last he admitted he got "a nice bounce", adding: "I was just hoping to make par."

RT to spread the celebration pics far and wide, the moment @ShaneLowryGolf's club @eskerhills saw him win!! pic.twitter.com/hQVkARC3Zw

— Inpho Photography (@Inphosports) August 9, 2015

It's a great result too for all of Team Lowry, especially his management at Horizon Sports, his coach Neil Manchip, trainer Robbie Cannon and the rest of his back up squad.

That the win came just six days after his 22-year old brother Alan followed in his footsteps by winning the Mullingar Electrical Scratch Trophy last Monday just added to the feeling that this was destiny.

Lowry began the final round two shots off the pace set by overnight co-leaders Justin Rose and Jim Furyk, but he wiped out the deficit with birdies on the second and eighth holes.

He began his back nine with a super birdie on the 10th, slashing a sky high wedge from 100 yards to two feet after getting a free drop for line of sight.

Furyk went within a shot of Lowry when he sank his five foot birdie putt on the 11th, only to bogey the next and drop back to eight under.

Lowry maintained his two shot advantage with a superb par save from 20 feet on the 14th after finding a fairway bunker off the tee.

Lowry's lead was cut to one shot when Watson fired his sixth birdie of the day at the 17th to go to nine under par.

But he held his nerve, saving a superb par from over the back fo the 17th from and went 11 under par when he sank his 11-foot putt at the last to win his first WGC title.

Rose and Furyk finished in a share of third place on seven under, with Robert Streb one shot further back.

Shane Lowry eyes his eight iron tee shot at the 12th. It finished close.

Shane Lowry might be two shots behind Jim Furyk and Justin Rose but he know that he has a golden oppoprtunity to win the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Akron on Sunday and take his game to the next level.

A win would catapult Lowry from 48th to an estimated 20th in the world and after carding an effortless looking 67 in round three to sit alone in third on seven under, the 28 year old knows what he has to do.

“I’m pretty happy,” he said, despite narrowly missing a 12 footer for bridie at the last and then watching Furyk hole an 11-footer from the fringe for par to remain in the lead with Rose (63) on nine under. 

Birdies at the second, third, 11th and 12th put Lowry right in the mix and while he bogeyed the 13th and 14th after missing the fairway both times, he made a fine birdie four at th 16th only to watch chances on the last two holes fail to drpp. 

"I had a couple of slip ups on the back nine, but all in all I played quite nicely. I gave myself a couple of chances coming in and it would have been nice to hole that one on the last. But I’m right where I want to be going into tomorrow. 

"I'm looking forward to it. It is a big event, a chance of going out there and doing something special. I’m looking forward to it. If I go out and play like I did today, you never know what might happen tomorrow.” 

Lowry is a different animal these days and he just needs a win or two to get the confidence boost he really needs to become a world star.

This week will seal his PGA Tour card for sure and win or lose on Sunday, he can go to the USPGA with a genuine chance of competing for victory there too.

His birdies at the 11th and 12th—which got him to within one of the lead—showed he can hole putts and hit iron shots close. But he can do other things well too.

His driving is a huge advantage these days as he’s not just straight but very long thanks to his improved fitness and better posture, which has led to a better strike.

His short game remains amongst the best in the world, as he showed on the 16th, where he left himself 95-yard lob wedge after two great shots and spun the ball back to four feet.

“I hit a great drive down there—you can’t got for it in two—and a perfect lay up,” he said. "We were really diligent with the yardage we were trying to leave outselves and it was a perfect number. I just hit a lob wedge in there and left myself a very easy putt for birdie again.”

His manufactuered, 150 yard chip and run from the trees to 12 feet at the 18th had him grinning at his caddie Dermot Byrne.

Strategy? He’s been relaxed and aggressive this week, using the driver liberally. And playing in the penultimate group with Aussie Steven Bowditch could be a blessing in disguise.

“Mostly I am just trying to go out and shoot the best that I can,” he said of what he thinks about when he’s contenting. 

“Obviously this is a massive tournament and it is going to be a big day for me tomorrow.  Going out in contention here is obviously a lot different that going to in contention in a smaller event at home. 

"But each time I go out, I try to hit the first tee shot down the middle of the fairway and take it from there. 

"It would hacve been nice if that one had gone in at the last but I’m right were I want to be going into tomorrow, second last group out, a couple behind the leader so, I am looking forward to it.

"I thought I was quite unlucky on 15, hit a lovely five iron there, probably a yard left of being perfect. And a great shot into 16, a good shot into 17 and a good shot into 18 as well. I have the ball under control and I am feeling good about my game. If I can hole a few putts tomorrow, you never know.”  

The top 10 are covered by just fie shots but the leaders look strong.

Justin Rose. Picture: Getty Images

Rose, for instance, reeled in Furyk courtesy of a sizzling seven under par bogey free round of 63.

The Englishman holed a massive 38ft putt on the closing hole for his seventh birdie of the day, signing off a superb round in style as he moved to nine under par for the tournament at Firestone Country Club.

American Furyk holed a significant putt of his own on the last – a testing 11ft par save – to ensure he kept a share of the lead with a one under par round of 69.

Englishman Ian Poulter surged through the field with a round of 65 to sit a further two shots back on five under par, sharing fourth position with Sweden’s Henrik Stenson (68), Australia Steven Bowditch (63) and American Bubba Watson (69).

Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell posted a round of 69 to share eighth place on four under par, alongside Brooks Koepka (68), the 2014 European Tour Rookie of the Year, and American Robert Streb (68).

Padraig Harrington had three three-putts in a 74 to slip to tied 63rd on eight over

“There’s only been two bogey-free rounds all week and any time you keep it clean like that, it really helps your score, obviously,” Rose said. “I think mentally it’s great too."

Furyk added: “I felt pretty good about the round all in all. It was kind of two different nines, to be honest with you. I felt like I struck the ball pretty good on the front. I drove the ball beautifully. I hit a lot of fairways and had opportunities, but didn’t knock in some putts that I probably could have or should have. 

"And felt like the front nine could have been better. But then the back nine, I missed a bunch of fairways. I think, when I finally did hit one on 18, I was in a divot and an awful lie. Finally hit a fairway and still couldn’t make a good swing at it. 

"I really just kind of gutted it out and ground it out and made the best I could of the back nine. I really think I scored well to shoot even par and kind of held myself in the golf tournament."

Web.com Tour — West Waterford's Seamus Power fired seven birdies in a six under 65 to haul himself into contention for the Digital Ally Open in Kansas.He moved up 23 places to tied eighth on 14 under par at Nicklaus GC at LionsGate and is six strokes behind Martin Piller (66), who leads by two on 20 under from Darron Stiles (63) and Shane Bertsch (68). Scores

@GaryHurley93 finds back of green on #18 at Penati while caddy @dunners11 looks on. Well done Ireland this week! pic.twitter.com/e9WiMd9D2C

— Colin Boote (@ColinBoote1) August 8, 2015

Ireland’s case for five of the 10 Walker Cup places was strengthend in Slovakia when West Waterford’s Gary Hurley produced a performance on demand by finishing second in the International European Amateur Championship for the second year running.

His critics will point to the fact that he “only” managed a level par 72 in the final round and made just one birdie as he was overhauled by Italy Stefano Mazzoli, who closed with a 68 to win by one on 19 under par.

That would be churlish talk considering the pressure the Maynooth University player was under and as the fourth highest ranked in the world from GB&I and almost certain of promotion to third next week, it is difficult to see how his omitted from the line up to face the USA at Royal Lytham and St Annes could possibly be justified.

The player himself put it best on twitter after the round:

Happy with how I handled myself out there today! Didn't manage to get the W but a great week when I really needed one! #golf #ireland

Does with the Spanish Tourist Board sponsored Irish Mixed Foursomes Munster pennant. Picture: Cork Golf News

Dooks Golf Club filled a 126-year void on Saturday when they captured the Irish Mixed Foursomes Munster title on their home course — the first Cups and Shields pennant in the club's 126-year history.

The hosts played well in testing conditions in the afternoon final against Castletroy, one which featured heavy rain and strong winds on the historic links course, running out winners by 3.5 matches to 1.5. 
 
Dooks put points on the board thanks to win from Karl Falvey and Eileen Breen and Pat Griffin and Joan Harmon before Castletroy won a point with Fergal Costelloe and Grainne Forde winning on the 16th.  

The deciding match was to be the top match with Dooks’ Endy Curtayne and Tracy Eakin holding a one-hole lead going up the 18th.

Castletroy ran into some trouble around the green which left the home side with two putts for a half and a win overall.  

Enda Curtayne stepped up and despite having two putts he calmly holed a seven foot putt to close the match.
 
Dooks was in excellent condition for the prestigious competition, the stiff breeze scattered showers in the morning added to the test of the links course to provide all golfers with challenging conditions for the matchplay event.

In the morning semi-final matches the home side had a good win over Skibbereen by 3.5 to 1.5. 

Dooks took out an early lead in three matches and although Skibbereen fought back and forced the first match to the 19th, the tie was finally settled on the 18th green when Denis McGillicuddy and Jenny Piggott won to give Dooks the decisive third point.

Castletroy made it through to the final with a 3-2 win over Cahir Park.  

Castletroy’s Rachel Maher sunk a crucial 15-foot putt on the 18th green to secure the Limerick club’s passage through to the final.  In many ways the day was preparation for the club as they host the national finals in September and they now they can look forward to the event knowing that they will be participating and in with a chance to add a national title to their Munster title. 
 
Jim Long from the Munster Branch GUI thanked the Officers, members and staff of Dooks Golf Club for their hospitality and professionalism in hosting the event, adding that the course was in excellent condition.  

He thanked Tournament Director Eric Brick and Referees Marian Pattenden (ILGU) and Michael Coote (GUI), and he thanked all of the team for such a sporting contest.
 
Dooks Captain Willie Murphy was delighted to accept the pennant, the first Cups and Shields pennant in the club's 126-year history.

Team Manager Mary Keane thanked all the players, those who played on the day and those who  didn’t for their commitment.  

She singled out the Captain, who was present at every practice match, and thanked all of the members for their great support. 
 
The 2015 Cups and Shields journey continues next weekend when Dungarvan  play host to the Munster finals of the AIG Senior Cup, AIG Junior Cup and AIG Barton Shield.

Irish Mixed Foursomes sponsored by Spanish Tourist BoardMunster FinalDooks beat Castletroy 3.5-1.5

1. Enda Curtayne & Tracy Eakin beat Tony Delaney & Eimear Costelloe  2 up
2. Paul Griffin & Mary Inglis lost to Fergal Costelloe & Grainne Forde 3&2
3. Denis McGillicuddy & Jenny Piggott  halved Keith Bermingham & Mary Quinlan
4. Pat Griffin & Joan Harmon beat Brendan Reidy & Mary Bermingham 2&1
5. Karl Falvey & Eileen Breen beat Gerard Maher & Rachel Maher 5&4

Semi-final: Dooks beat Skibbereen 3.5 – 1.5

1. Enda Curtayne & Tracy Eakin beat Darren O’Brien & Eileen O’Regan, 19th
2. Pat Riordan & Maura Shanahan halved with Liam Quirke & Maura Dwyer
3. Karl Falvey & Eileen Breen beat Joe O’Sullivan & Mary Crowley 1 up
4. Denis McGillicuddy & Jenny Piggott beat Thomas Foley & Hilda Hegarty 2 up
5. Derek Kelly & Ogie O’Sullivan lost to John McNamara & Rhona O’Donoghue 3&2

Semi-final: Castletroy beat Cahir Park 3-2

1. Dean McMahon & Alice O’Dwyer lost to  Declan Walsh & Catherine Fitzgerald 3&1
2. Tony Delaney & Eimear Costelloe lost to Emmet Leahy & Michelle Keating 4&2
3. Keith Bermingham & Mary Quinlan beat Noel Halley & Susan Carey 3&2
4. Brendan Reidy & Mary Bermingham beat Peter Gaffney & Emma Keating 1 up
5. Gerard Maher & Rachel beat Maher Brian McKeon & Marie Keating 1 up

Semi-Final Pictures (Cork Golf News)

John Ferriter (Chairman, Leinster Golf, GUI) presenting Alan Condren (Greystones) with the 2015 Leinster Mid Amateur Open Championship trophy after his victory at Grange Golf Club (08/08/2015). Also in the picture is Paul Muldowney (Captain, Grange Golf Club). Picture by Pat Cashman

Alan Condren closed with a three over 71 and still won the Leinster Mid Amateur Open Championship by two strokes at Grange.

Winner Alan Condren (Greystones) reacts to a missed putt on the 4th green in the final round of the 2015 Leinster Mid Amateur Open Championship at the Grange Golf Club today (08/08/2015). Picture by Pat Cashman

The Greystones player finishing on seven over par 211 over the original, James Braid designed Love Course in the foothills of the Dublin Mountains where six par threes make for tough scoring and strategically placed trees and hazards put a premium on good course management.

Knock's Simon Miscarry was second on nine over par 213 alongside Condren's brother Kevin with Lahinch's Declan McInerney third.

Some players complained that the greens had been hollow-tined recently but while Leinster Golf conceded that some may have been somewhat bumpy, they worked was carried out two weeks ago, just as it was last year.

Whatever about the wisdom of hollowing tining greens a fortnight before a championship—the club is loathe to leave it later in the summer, apparently—the greens were certainly quick enough and the course more than challenging enough for the field. 

A closing, one under 67 by Naas' Craig Williams was the only sub-par score recorded all week as players played from the seventh to the 18th and finished on the par-three sixth.

Alan Dowling (Hermitage)and Barry Forsyth (Corballis Links) repairing pitch marks on the 5th green in the final round of the 2015 Leinster Mid Amateur Open Championship at Grange (08/08/2015). Picture by Pat Cashman

Peter Kane (Ashbourne) reacts to a birdie putt on the 6th green in the final round of the 2015 Leinster Mid Amateur Open Championship at Grange. Picture by Pat Cashman

Bryan McSweeney (The Royal Dublin) playing his second shot to the 6th hole in the final round of the 2015 Leinster Mid Amateur Open Championship at Grange. Picture by Pat Cashman

Leinster Mid Amateur Open Championship 2015, Grange GC (Love Course, Par 68)Final - CSS Rnd 1 & 2 – 70 Rnd 3 – 71 SSS 69

211 Alan Condren (Greystones) 68 72 71

213 Simon Miskelly (Knock) 70 72 71, Kevin Condren (Greystones) 70 70 73

215 Declan McInerney (Lahinch Golf Club) 73 73 69

216 Richard Williams (Naas) 73 76 67, Alan Dowling (Hermitage) 71 73 72

217 Michael Buggy (Castlecomer Golf Club) 76 68 73, Declan O'Neill (Carton House) 73 71 73

218 Christopher O'Connor (Corrstown) 74 72 72

219 Barry Forsyth (Corballis Links) 75 70 74, David Mc Carthy (Bandon Golf Club) 74 73 72, John (jnr) Finnegan (Royal Portrush) 74 69 76, Rob Fitzpatrick (Naas) 70 73 76

220 David Kelleher (Portmarnock) 76 70 74, Tony McClements (Holywood Golf Club) 74 69 77, Peter McNeill (Woodbrook) 71 76 73, Derek Ronan (New Ross Golf Club) 71 73 76

221 Peter Kirby (Dun Laoghaire) 77 73 71, David Carroll (Grange) 72 74 75, Randal Cross (Enniscrone Golf Club) 71 77 73, Bryan McSweeney (The Royal Dublin) 71 69 81, Peter Kane (Ashbourne) 68 73 80

222 Aidan Horgan (Grange) 75 74 73, Joe Crangle (Cliftonville Golf Club) 72 70 80

223 Shane O'Connor (Greystones) 71 79 73

225 Gus J. Fitzpatrick (Naas) 74 77 74, Alan Moran (Tuam Golf Club) 74 76 75

226 Peter Meaney (Cahir Park Golf Club) 80 75 71

227 Craig McEvoy (Lucan) 76 76 75, Neville Steedman (Balcarrick) 74 74 79

228 Paul Flynn (Tramore) 76 77 75, Fergal Kennedy (The Island) 76 76 76

230 Trevor Dooley (Forrest Little.) 78 73 79

231 Ciaran Campbell (Carton House) 79 78 74

232 Paul Reilly (Co. Louth) 77 80 75

233 Fergal Harrington (Carton House) 77 77 79, Michael Burke (Galway Golf Club) 76 77 80

237 Damien Coyne (Tuam Golf Club) 79 80 78

239 Dermot McKenna (Blainroe Golf Club) 81 78 80

241 Noel Mannion (Dun Laoghaire) 82 78 81

NR Warren Kelly (Naas) 75 71 NR

WD Rnd 3- Anthony Feicks (Waterford)

No shows Rnd 3 – Shane O’Sullivan (Roganstown); Patrick Bevins (Carlow); Rory Hudson (Druids Heath)

Niall Turner. Picture: Getty Images

Muskerry’s Niall Turner shares the lead heading into the final round of the Northern Ireland Open in Association with Sphere Global and Ulster Bank after a three under par third round 68 at Galgorm Castle moved him to the summit alongside second round leader Emilio Cuartero Blanco.

Turner birdied the 18th to set the clubhouse target at 14 under par while his Spanish counterpart could only make par to remain on the same score, with Jamie McLeary and Clément Sordet two shots further back in joint third place.

The 32 year old suffered a bad back injury in January that disrupted most of his season thus far but credited the support of the local crowds with spurring him on this week.

“It’s fantastic playing in front of an Irish crowd,” he said. “This event is so well supported, and I had some close friends and family up here today.

“It’s great to hear the roar from the crowds, like on the last hole when I made a long birdie putt, and it’s fantastic to know that you’ve got the home crowd behind you.

“It was actually a bit of an up and down round. I got it going really well in the middle of the round but missed a lot of short putts coming in.

“I was happy with my final two holes though, saving par on 17 and then a lovely birdie on the last. All in all I’m delighted with a 68.

“It’s exciting to be in the final group in the final round. I’ve always enjoyed playing in front of crowds so I’m looking forward to it.

“I’ll treat it like any other round and go through the usual pre-round routine. It’s hard to do but you have to stay true to what you’ve been doing and trust in your game. I’m really excited about it.”

Cuartero Blanco admitted nerves got the better of him as he made a double bogey on the first hole, but he made five birdies and an eagle to fire a 69 and remain in a share for the lead.

“I started very badly, just some bad swings,” said the 24 year old. “I was a bit nervous today because I haven’t held the lead in a tournament since I was an amateur, but now I’m so excited.

“My round was a bit messy but the eagle on the ninth helped. I putted well and made a lot of birdies, and I was happy to be able to come back after a bad start and to be able to hold a lead.

“I’m looking forward to seeing how I perform under final round pressure. The people just want to see good shots, so I think they enjoyed me today because I made a lot of birdies, as well as quite a few bogeys, but it was good fun.

“I couldn’t be happier with the crowd that followed me. There was a family from San Sebastián and they were cheering ‘vamos, vamos’ which was nice to hear. But everyone claps and cheers everything, it’s great to have this support out here and I’m excited for even more people.”

Frenchman Sordet, in just his fourth event since turning professional, almost made a hole in one on the par three fifth as he shot a 68 to move to 12 under par.

McLeary started with a sublime approach to the first and three other birdies on the front nine moved him into contention before a bogey coming home meant he remains two shots back.

His fellow Scot Peter Whiteford fired the best round of the day, a six under par 65, and sits on 11 under par alongside Denmark’s Jeff Winther and American John Hahn.

A clutch of players remain well within striking range at 10 under par, including Road to Oman Rankings leader Ricardo Gouveia and 2013 Northern Ireland Open champion Daan Huizing.

The home hopeful Chris Selfridge, having this week made his eighth successive cut since turning professional, fired a level par round of 71 to remain on eight under par, six shots behind Turner and Cuartero.

Scores:

199 E Cuartero Blanco  (Esp) 65 65 69, Niall Turner (Irl) 65 66 68, 

201 C Sordet  (Fra) 67 66 68, J McLeary  (Sco) 67 65 69, 

202 J Hahn (USA) 65 66 71, P Whiteford (Sco) 68 69 65, J Winther (Den) 67 68 67, 

203 D Law (Sco) 67 67 69, H Porteous (RSA) 65 69 69, M Armitage (Eng) 72 65 66, S Wakefield (Eng) 66 69 68, D Huizing (Ned) 65 68 70, R Gouveia (Por) 70 67 66, S Gros (Fra) 66 66 71, 

204 A McArthur  (Sco) 68 67 69, D Coupland (Eng) 69 69 66, 

205 Chris Selfridge (Nir) 68 66 71, S Arnold  (Aus) 66 67 72, C Gloet  (Den) 73 65 67, T Pilkadaris (Aus) 69 65 71, 

206 V Riu  (Fra) 67 69 70, Simon Thornton (Irl) 66 69 71, J Glennemo (Swe) 66 71 69, D Im (USA) 68 67 71, B Virto Astudillo (Esp) 73 64 69, J Lara (Esp) 70 66 70, S Manley (Wal) 66 70 70, G Woolgar (Eng) 67 68 71, 

207 R Kellett (Sco) 66 69 72, T Linard (Fra) 68 70 69, G Murray  (Sco) 70 67 70, B Stone (RSA) 66 71 70, 

208 B Hafthorsson (Isl) 69 69 70, E Goya (Arg) 66 70 72, J Watts (Eng) 68 71 69, H Joannes  (Bel) 69 68 71, R Evans (Eng) 66 70 72, P Maddy (Eng) 68 67 73, 

209 Gareth Shaw (Nir) 73 64 72, Peter Lawrie (Irl) 68 70 71, T Sluiter  (Ned) 66 71 72, D Perrier (Fra) 69 67 73, S Matus  (Cze) 70 67 72, 

210 P Figueiredo  (Por) 70 67 73, M Orrin (Eng) 71 68 71, Brian Casey (Irl) 69 70 71, A Knappe (Ger) 69 68 73, J Lima  (Por) 70 66 74, 

211 G King (Eng) 70 69 72, Niall Kearney (Irl) 69 69 73, O Stark (Swe) 68 71 72, N Elvira  (Esp) 68 70 73, N Raymond (Eng) 69 67 75, J Robinson (Eng) 68 68 75, S Walker (Eng) 71 68 72, 

212 J Billing (Swe) 70 67 75, 

213 L Gagli  (Ita) 69 68 76, 

214 N Kimsey (Eng) 67 72 75, 

216 A Snobeck  (Fra) 68 69 79, S Henry  (Sco) 70 69 77, 

Rory McIlroy, watched by that group that includes his father Gerry, his coach Michael Bannon, his assistant Sean O'Flaherty, his best friend Harry Diamond and his caddie JP Fitzgerald at Whistling Straits today. 

Defending champion Rory McIlroy played a practice round for next week's PGA Championship at Whistling Straits today without showing any ill effects from the total rupture of ankle ligaments he suffered exactly five weeks ago.

Reuters reported on Monday that McIlroy was scheduled to play a practice round at the course today, though the story was denied by his PR company in Dublin the following morning.

"Not booked for such a round. Still going through the ankle rehab process. T," his publicist Terry Prone texted in reply to a query about McIlroy's fitness.

Either this was an attempt to keep onlookers and media away or McIlroy's plans clearly change quickly. Whatever the truth, McIlroy's likely return on Thursday is clearly great news for the PGA of America, which has grouped the current world No 1 with the winners of the first three majors of the year in US Open and Masters champion Jordan Spieth and Open champion Zach Johnson.

According tweet by Sky Sports' James Haddock, who watched some of the action, McIlroy moved well and shot two over on a long course alongside his closest friend, Harry Diamond.

Look who's back! @McIlroyRory playing first practice round @PGAChampionship today after recovery from ankle injury pic.twitter.com/ETwJL5oniq

— James Haddock (@JamesHaddockSky) August 8, 2015

Rory McIlroy into back nine at Whistling Straits now. Says he feels good. Appears to be walking without pain. #golf pic.twitter.com/lGCI67LWkw

— James Haddock (@JamesHaddockSky) August 8, 2015

There's a spring in the step of @rorymcilroy today as he gets a first look at Whistling Straits #golf pic.twitter.com/yd4RteRZ3d

— James Haddock (@JamesHaddockSky) August 8, 2015

After 18 holes Rory McIlroy tells me his ankle is "feeling fine" and he shot 2 over on a day where Whistling Straits was playing very long

— James Haddock (@JamesHaddockSky) August 8, 2015

For the rest of the PGA Championship tee times, click here.

Shane Lowry drives on the par-five 16th at Firestone's South Course on Friday. Picture: Getty Images

He's engaged to be married and even has a beard that would get him a place in The Dubliners line-up - or at least onto the bench. In short, Shane Lowry is no longer the 22-year old kid who "rocked up" at Baltray and casually won the Irish Open as an amateur six years ago.

Later that year he found himself among the pros, standing on a range in Akron with the likes of Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, wondering what he'd let himself in for. There had been late night tears in his hotel room that week as he got badly burnt by exacting Firestone in the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in just his seventh start as a professional.

He'd missed four of his first six cuts but there was no hiding place in Rubber City. There was a no cut for starters.

As Tiger and Pádraig Harrington went down the stretch in that memorable finish — John Paramor put them on the clock and Harrington took eight at the 16th to throw the tournament away — Lowry was licking his wounds after  finishing 77th of 79 on 20 over par.

As he reminded everyone in his TV interview last night, he was 16 over at the same stage in 2009. This time he's tied for second on four under thanks to a 66—his lowest round in a WGC—that came courtesy of some putting magic and a lot more experience than he possessed the first time he played the course.

Asked to compare 2009 Shane to 2015 world No 48 Lowry, he said: "I think at this stage in 2009 I was 16 over par. I am hitting the ball a lot longer and this is one of the courses I first came to when I turned pro and when I come back here six years later, I can see I am a better player now. My mental game, my maturity... it is all better than it was and I can get the ball around the golf course better than I did, so it is nice to be back here and nice to shoot a decent score as well."

A closing bogey, just his second of a six-birdie day, took little gloss off what Lowry felt was a more clinical scoring performance but less impressive ball-striking round than his opening 70, when he closed with two bogeys.

After firing four birdies and one bogey on his way to reaching the turn in 32 on Friday, Lowry closed out his second round in 66 to join Americans Bubba Watson and Dustin Johnson on four under par, four shots behind leader Jim Furyk.

Shane Lowry drops his 6th birdie of the day! http://t.co/iDn5t4bxdz

— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) August 7, 2015

The Clara native, who finished tied ninth at this year's US Open, was pleased with his score but thought he actually played better golf on Thursday.

He said: "I feel like I played better yesterday. I just managed to hole a few putts today. That was key. I had a couple of good par saves on the back nine. I rolled a few in from ten, 15, 20 feet. 

"It was nice not to be grinding out there. And just like yesterday, I played as good as I played all year. I drove the ball long and straight. 

"I would say I probably had nine or ten wedges into holes yesterday and did not capitalise at all. So it is nice to go out there and shoot a decent score...

"If you look at my career so far, I tend to play well on tough courses, when we have a high winning score. When pars are good and you pick off a few birdies, I tend to like it. Out here it's all about driving the golf ball. I feel like I'm driving the ball well at the minute. I'm hitting it long and straight, and I just hope I can do that for another two days.”

What's @ShaneLowryGolf doing in the gym @RobbieCannon last 2 drives 360 and 365

West Waterford and Maynooth University's Gary Hurley during the Palmer Cup in the US in June. He didn't have a good week there, making today's final round in Slovakia and the US Amateur crucial for his Walker Cup hopes.

Gary Hurley's second successive 65 for a one shot lead over Lytham Trophy winner Marcus Kinhult of Sweden in the International European Amateur Championship sets up a fascinating battle to capture the heart of Walker Cup skipper Nigel Edwards over the next two weeks.

The Welshman will name his 10-man team to face the USA at Royal Lytham and St Annes after the Home Internationals and the US Amateur and on the evidence of what we've seen over the last year or so, reducing his 20-strong list of contenders to just 10 is going to be a painful exercise.

He is likely to have six or seven fixed names in his head by now but if the grapevine is correct, few have any idea where the stand exactly. 

Ireland's hopes of having six of 10 were always far-fetched, especially after Dermot McElroy's missed the cut at Penati Golf Resort in Slovakia. LIVE SCORING

While irish Amateur Open champion Gavin Moynihan's 67 moved up to tied 10th behind leader Hurley on 14 under, he's considered a certainty for selection as the only player with Walker Cup experience.

The other four Irishmen in the squad all have strong claims for a place but it would be a brave man who would place a hefty bet on a record five Irish team members. It is easy to justify places for all of them, until you have to go through the performances of the players from the other three Home Nations.

Assuming that Cormac Sharvin's Brabazon Trophy win and strong form throughout the year is enough to get him in — he had to battle just to make the cut in Slovakia — it is then down to Jack Hume, Paul Dunne and Hurley. 

Dunne's Open Championship performance would appear to make him a certainty too, leaving Hume and Hurley.

Gary Hurley looks to the gods for solace after a missed putt for Munster. So far, he's playing a blinder representing Ireland in the European Amateur in Slovakia

Neither has won, which could be the determining factor when it comes to Edwards. Clearly, a victory for either in Slovakia would secure their place. If not, Hume will have the Home Internationals to shine while Hurley, whose record of 8.5 points out of 9 in foursomes with Dunne is a clear plus, will join his partner and Sharvin in the US Amateur in Chicago the week after next. 

Walker Cup squad through 54 holes in Slovakia

-18 Gary Hurley (West Waterford)
-14 Gavin Moynihan (The Island)
-13 Adam Chapman (Windermere)    
-13 Ashley Chesters (Hawkstone Park) 
-13 Jack Hume (Naas)    
-13 Jimmy Mullen (Royal North Devon)
-11 Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock (Barassie))
-10 Daniel Brown (Bedale)    
-10 Paul Dunne (Greystones)    
-6 Tomasz Anderson (Brocket Hall)
-6 Cormac Sharvin (Ardglass)

MC David Boote (Walton Heath)    
MC Nick Marsh (Huddersfield)
MC Jamie Savage (Cawder)

DNP Grant Forrest (Craigielaw)    
DNP Sam Horsfield (Davenport, USA)    
DNP Paul Howard (Southport & Ainsdale)    
DNP Graeme Robertson (Glenbervie)
DNP Ben Stow (Rushmore)

International European Amateur Championship

1  HURLEY, Gary Westwaterford/Nuim -18  68 65 65    198 
2  KINHULT, Marcus Skaftö Gk -17 64 69 66 199     
T3 ROZNER, Antoine Rcf La Boulie -16  68 66 66 200     
T3 ARNAUS, Adria Can Cuyas Golf -16     65 68 67 200
T3 DETRY, Thomas Royal Golf Club Of Belgium -16  65 67 68 200
T6VECCHI FOSSA, Jacopo Modena -15  67 69 65 201
T6 CEA, Michele Perco Di Roma -15  69 65 67 201 
T6 THOMSON, Jonathan Lindrick -15  69 64 68 201
T6 MAZZOLI, Stefano Monticello -15 65 67 69 201 
T10 MOYNIHAN, Gavin The Island -14  70 65 67 202
T10 BOWER, Jamie Meltham -14  66 65 71 202

T12 DAWSON, Robin Faithlegg -13  65 69 69 203 
T12 HUME, Jack Naas Golf Club -13  65 67 71 203
T21 DUNNE, Paul Greystones -10  69 67 70 206 
T62 SHARVIN, Cormac Ardglass Golf Club 74 69 67 73 283 

MC MCELROY, Dermot Ballymena 72 69 70 211
MC GLEESON, Alex Castle 71 72 72 215

Niall Turner

He’s made just one cut from four starts this year — in faraway Bali of all places —  but 32-year old Corkman Niall Turner is showing far nearer home that he has a game for all climes.

His biggest claim to fame as an amateur was that he lost to Shane Lowry in the 2007 Irish Close final at Cork Golf Club.

But afer making an eagle three at the ninth and four birdies in a five under 66, he’s just a shot behind leader Emilio Cuartero Blanco on 11 under par and chasing his maiden tour win.

Cuartero shot a second successive 65 at Galgorm Castle to lead by one shot on 12 under par at the halfway point of the Northern Ireland Open in Association with Sphere Global and Ulster Bank.

Turner has only recently returned from a long-term back injury (he also had hip trouble) but has found form in front of the Irish crowds and is keen to make up for lost time.

“I’ve had a long time waiting to get back out here,” Turner said. “It’s been a complete nightmare to be honest so to be back now and in contention is fantastic, I couldn’t have wished for anything more.”

Cuartero, 24, is bidding to become Spain’s third European Challenge Tour winner this season after Nacho Elvira and Borja Virto Astudillo.

Emilio Cuartero Blanco

He did not drop a shot all day while adding six birdies to the eight made in his opening round and leads from Turner and American John Hahn

“Conditions were perfect today,” he said. “I was playing with Gary Wardlow, a local player, and I asked him how many days of summer do they get like this one, and he said ‘one, so you’d better enjoy it!’”

Northern Ireland’s own Gareth Shaw gave the home fans something to cheer about by firing the low round of the week so far, a seven under par 64 helping him to make the cut after a shaky opening round of 73.

But Castledawson’s Chris Selfridge trumped Shaw to be the leading Northern Irishman heading into the weekend after the 23 year old carded a five under 66 to sit four off the pace on eight under.

Enjoying professional life Chris? 8 - starts as a pro 0 - missed cuts 4 - off the lead at the #NIOpen pic.twitter.com/CMiFmTB6yP

— Challenge Tour (@Challenge_Tour) August 7, 2015

Tournament Ambassador Michael Hoey birdied two of his final three holes but his two under par total that was not enough to make the cut, missing by one shot.

Just seven of the 23 Irish entrants made the cut with Simon Thornton (69) seven under and Peter Lawrie (70) four under with Shaw and Niall Kearney (69) while Headfort’s Brian Casey made it right on the three under mark after a 69.

Scores after round  2:

130 E Cuartero Blanco  (Esp) 65 65,

131 Niall Turner (Irl) 65 66, J Hahn (USA) 65 66,

132 S Gros (Fra) 66 66, J McLeary  (Sco) 67 65,

133 S Arnold  (Aus) 66 67, D Huizing (Ned) 65 68, C Sordet  (Fra) 67 66,

134 T Pilkadaris (Aus) 69 65, Chris Selfridge (Nir) 68 66, H Porteous (RSA) 65 69, D Law (Sco) 67 67,

135 R Kellett (Sco) 66 69, A McArthur  (Sco) 68 67, J Winther (Den) 67 68, G Woolgar (Eng) 67 68, D Im (USA) 68 67, P Maddy (Eng) 68 67, S Wakefield (Eng) 66 69, Simon Thornton (Irl) 66 69,

136 N Raymond (Eng) 69 67, S Manley (Wal) 66 70, J Robinson (Eng) 68 68, E Goya (Arg) 66 70, V Riu  (Fra) 67 69, J Lima  (Por) 70 66, D Perrier (Fra) 69 67, J Lara (Esp) 70 66, R Evans  (Eng) 66 70,

137 L Gagli  (Ita) 69 68, Gareth Shaw (Nir) 73 64, A Knappe (Ger) 69 68, G Murray  (Sco) 70 67, T Sluiter  (Ned) 66 71, P Figueiredo  (Por) 70 67, B Stone (RSA) 66 71, R Gouveia (Por) 70 67, M Armitage (Eng) 72 65, J Glennemo (Swe) 66 71, P Whiteford (Sco) 68 69, A Snobeck  (Fra) 68 69, S Matus  (Cze) 70 67, B Virto Astudillo (Esp) 73 64, H Joannes  (Bel) 69 68, J Billing (Swe) 70 67, 

138 Niall Kearney (Irl) 69 69, C Gloet  (Den) 73 65, T Linard (Fra) 68 70, Peter Lawrie (Irl) 68 70, B Hafthorsson (Isl) 69 69, N Elvira  (Esp) 68 70, D Coupland (Eng) 69 69, 

139 S Walker (Eng) 71 68, N Kimsey (Eng) 67 72, O Stark (Swe) 68 71, S Henry  (Sco) 70 69, G King (Eng) 70 69, Brian Casey  (Irl) 69 70, J Watts (Eng) 68 71, M Orrin (Eng) 71 68,

Cut

140 Michael  Hoey (Nir) 70 70, Simon Ward  (Irl) 69 71,

141 Ruaidhri McGee (Irl) 73 68, Brendan McGovern (Irl) 72 69, 

142 Damien McGrane (Irl) 73 69, Michael McGeady (Irl) 71 71, 

143 Tiarnan McLarnon (am) (Nir) 71 72, John Ross Galbraith (am) (Nir) 75 68,

144 Alan Dunbar (Nir) 74 70, 

146 Reeve Whitson (Nir) 69 77,  Colm Campbell (am) (Nir) 73 73, 

147 Stephen Grant  (Irl) 71 76, 

148 Richard Kilpatrick (Nir) 76 72,

149 Gary Wardlow (Nir) 75 74, Michael McDermott (Irl) 70 79, 

151 Chris Carvill (Nir) 71 80, 

Old Conna's Neil O'Briain. Picture: Getty Images

Ireland's Neil O'Briain fired a final round 69 to snatch a share of second place in the Galvin Green PGA Assistants' Championship at Coventry Golf Club.

The Old Conna Golf Club assistant, who finished fourth last year, shared runners up spot with former European Tour player David Griffiths behind champion Jack Harrison.

O'Briain admitted he was disappointed to miss out on the £5,000 but Wildwood Golf and Country Club-based Harrison sealed a commanding four shot victory after rounds of 68, 68 and 67 put him 16-under for the £33,5000 tournament.

The 28 year old O'Briain however took plenty of positives from his performance and is aiming to return to make it third time lucky next year.

"I battled all the way, I played quite well but just didn't' convert as much I needed to," he said. "I put myself into one spot of bother on 14 and hit a miraculous shot out of the trees and birdied 15 thinking here we go, maybe I can get up to 14 or 15 under but at the end of the day I'm happy with how I played.

"I was fourth last year, tied second this year so next year logic dictates I should be up there so I'm delighted. Obviously I'm a little disappointed to come so close and not come away with it but it's a learning curve.

"I was actually tied with Jack last year going into the last six holes but made bogey, bogey on 14 and 15. I thought here we go again, so I said to myself 'man up' and hit a great shot out of the trees, made my par and stripped one into 15 which has been a bit of a nemesis for me.

"And the last few holes I gave myself some great chances but nothing dropped. That's just the way it is but I really enjoyed it." 

Defeated but not despondent http://t.co/PRtwDR0e8j @IrishLadiesGolf @RCDproshop @PeterHannaGolf @KillarneyGolf pic.twitter.com/zb0igrcqCT

— sportswomen_ie (@sportswomenIRL) August 7, 2015

Ireland hopes of a first ever win in the Girls Home Internationals ended in disappointment as they fell 7-2 to England who won the Stroyan Cup for the eighth year in a row and the 13th time in the past 15 at Lanark Golf Club.

Ireland lost 5-4 to the English in last year's decider but having lost the foursomes 2-1, the found England too strong overall in the singles. 

Scores

Hollie Muse made it 3-1 in England's favour with her sixth win from six, beating GB&I Junior Vagliano Trophy team-mate, Annabel Wilson by 6 and 5, losing only one hole.

Royal County Down Ladies' Olivia Mehaffey, who suffered her first loss of the week in the morning foursomes, bounced back with a 5 and 4 win over GB and I Vagliano trophy team-mate Alice Hewson.

@OliviaMehaffey Nice jump! pic.twitter.com/7tVmPR7azy

— Brian Keogh (@IrishGolfDesk) August 7, 2015

Annabel Bailey increased England's lead to 4-1 with a 6 and 4 win over Julie McCarthy who had started well with winning birdies at the first and second but never won another hole after that.

The fifth point that ensured an England victory came from Emma Allen, which was appropriate as she and earlier winner Holly Muse were the team's most sucacessful individuals with six wins out of six.

She beat Ciara Casey by 4 and 3 but all credit to the Irish player for more than holding her own in the first half of the match. There was only one hole in it - in Allen's favour - after 10 holes. Allen won the 11th to go two up, and also the 13th and 14th on concess.

Elizabeth Prior chalked up England's sixth point by beating Elisa Corcoran 4 and 3. Prior was two down on the third tee to opening birdies by Corcoran but won the fourth and 10th to square the contest and led for the first time at the 12th before winning the 13th, 14th and 15th.

Sammy Fuller completed England's 7-2 victory by beating another Junior Vagliano Trophy player, Mairead Martin, by 4 and 3.
 
Captain Chris Pascall said: "We knew that they wanted to beat us  as they haven't won the trohpy before and after we beat them narrowly last year we knew that they were looking for revenge.

"I told the team that we had to come out fighting but after 5 holes things didn't look very promising. I put experienced players in the later positions and that helped when we were down initially.

"But it has been the same all week, the matches may look easy from the points, but there were two occasions on the first two days when we were 3 down after 4 holes due to birdies from the other teams - they are not easy matches to win."

Ireland made two changes in the foursomes pairings and lost the session 2-1. 

Emma Allen and Elizabeth Prior beat Casey and Lisa O'Shea on the 15th green  before an impressive 6 and 4 victory by Junior Vagliano Trophy pair, Annabel Wilson and Mairead Martin over Eloise Healey and Emily Toy levelled the match.

However, England regained the lead at 2-1 when Muse and Sammy Fuller scored a 2 and 1 victory over Mehaffey and Julie McCarthy.

Mehaffey was disappointed to say goodbye to the Girls ranks with a defeat but optimistic about the future.

Absolutely gutted to lose today to England, but couldn't of asked to spend my last homes with such an amazing team! So proud of them all

Patrick Tallent wins the Seniors Amateur Championship at Royal County Down. (7 August 2015) Credit: The R&A

American Patrick Tallent completed the perfect double with a gritty final round of 75 in the Seniors Amateur Championship at Royal County Down.

Winner of the US Senior Amateur Championship in California last September, he came from one shot behind with two to play to finally end a run of close finishes and land his first Seniors Amateur Championship crown.

Scores

The 61-year-old finished on five-over-par 218, just one shot ahead of fellow Virginian, Matthew Sughrue, who shot a 74 on Friday for 219. Another American, Chip Lutz, the champion in 2011 and 2012, was third on 225 after a fine closing 72. 

Adrian Portmarnock's Adrian Morrow closed with an 80 to slip back to tied 11th with John Mitchell (73) and Arthur Pierse (74) on 15 over.

Maurice Kelly ((76) was a shot further back in tied 14th with John Hughes (74) tied 21st, Nigel Duke (74) tied 24th, Garth McGimpsey (77) tied 44th with Pat Lyons (75) and Tom Cleary (82) in 61st. 

Leinster Mid-Am — Royal Dublin's Bryan McSweeney and the Condren brothers Kevin and Alan are tied for the lead heading into the final round of the Leinster Mid-Amateur Championship at Grange.The lead by one stroke on two over par 140 from Ashbourne's Peter KaneLeinster Mid Amateur Championship, Grange (Par 68 CSS Rnd 1 & 2 – 70 SSS 69)After 36 holes qualifying (45 players qualify for final round tomorrow)Qualifiers140 Bryan McSweeney (The Royal Dublin) 71 69 , Kevin Condren (Greystones) 70 70 , Alan Condren (Greystones) 68 72 141 Peter Kane (Ashbourne) 68 73 142 Joe Crangle (Cliftonville Golf Club) 72 70 , Simon Miskelly (Knock) 70 72 143 John (jnr) Finnegan (Royal Portrush) 74 69 , Tony McClements (Holywood Golf Club) 74 69 , Rob Fitzpatrick (Naas) 70 73 144 Michael Buggy (Castlecomer Golf Club) 76 68 , Declan O'Neill (Carton House) 73 71 , Derek Ronan (New Ross Golf Club) 71 73 , Alan Dowling (Hermitage) 71 73 145 Barry Forsyth (Corballis Links) 75 70 146 David Kelleher (Portmarnock) 76 70 , Warren Kelly (Naas) 75 71 , Christopher O'Connor (Corrstown) 74 72 , Declan Mc Inerney (Lahinch Golf Club) 73 73 , David Carroll (Grange) 72 74 147 David McCarthy (Bandon Golf Club) 74 73 , Peter McNeill (Woodbrook) 71 76 148 Neville Steedman (Balcarrick) 74 74 , Randal Cross (Enniscrone Golf Club) 71 77 149 Aidan Horgan (Grange) 75 74 , Richard Williams (Naas) 73 76 150 Peter Kirby (Dun Laoghaire) 77 73 , Alan Moran (Tuam Golf Club) 74 76 , Shane O'Connor (Greystones) 71 79 151 Trevor Dooley (Forrest Little.) 78 73 , Gus J. Fitzpatrick (Naas) 74 77 152 Fergal Kennedy (The Island) 76 76 , Craig McEvoy (Lucan) 76 76 153 Anthony Feicks (Waterford) 78 75 , Michael Burke (Galway Golf Club) 76 77 , Paul Flynn (Tramore) 76 77 154 Shane O'Sullivan (Roganstown G & CC Golf Club) 77 77 , Patrick Bevins (Carlow Golf Club) 77 77 , Fergal Harrington (Carton House) 77 77 155 Peter Meaney (Cahir Park Golf Club) 80 75 157 Ciaran Campbell (Carton House) 79 78 , Paul Reilly (Co. Louth) 77 80 159 Dermot McKenna (Blainroe Golf Club) 81 78 , Damien Coyne (Tuam Golf Club) 79 80 160 Noel Mannion (Dun Laoghaire) 82 78; Rory Hudson (Druid's Heath) 79 81 
 
Note - 147 Leo Connolly (Wexford) 69 78 (WD from Rnd 3)Non-Qualifiers162 Damien O'Driscoll (Newlands) 84 78 163 Evan Thomas (Arklow Golf Club) 84 79, Ian Smyth (Clandeboye) 83 80, Tony Frew (Grange) 76 87 164 Tom Hogan (Headfort) 86 78 , Daniel McGrath (Tuam Golf Club) 83 81 , Gordon Hutchinson (Royal Belfast Golf Club) 83 81 168 Brian Murphy (Delgany) 85 83 170 Paul Hautz (Delgany) 78 92 172 Noel Butterly (Rush) 84 88 NR Patrick Higgins (Forrest Little.) 76 NR , Philip Evans (Lisheen Springs) 83 NR , Ryan Callan (Carton House) NR ,DW Barry Stevens (Spa) DQ , Eric Murphy (Curragh Golf Club) DQ , Eoin Mithen (Bray) DQ , Edward Ryan (Lucan) DQ  WD Michael Barrett (Slievenamon Golf Club) 74, WD Mark Somers (Smurfit) 80, WD.

Seamus Power

Web.com Tour — Seamus Power shot a second succesive four under 67 to move up to tied eighth at halfway in the Digital Ally Open in Kansas.

The West Waterford man, 66th in the rankings, had five birdies and a bogey to end his day tied for 31st on eight under, seven behind co-leaders Martin Piller and Shane Bertsch, who both shot 62s at Nicklaus Golf Club at LionsGate in Overland Park.

They head the field by one on 15 under from American Tyler Duncan. Scores

Sam Connor

Europro Tour — It wasn’t to be for Tim Rice or Jonny Caldwell as Sam Connor won his second HotelPlanner.com PGA EuroPro Tour event of the season in a dramatic play-off for COBRA PUMA GOLF Open.

The Irish duo were just a shot behind oernight leader Robbie Busher at The Carrick on Loch Lomond. But Caldwell shot a one over 72 to finish tied fourth, a shot outside the playoff as Rice took 75 to end up tied seventh. 

Scores

Both took home their biggest cheques of the season — £1,875 for Caldwell and £1,100 for Rice. But the £10,000 top prize ween to  Connor, who carded a final-round 70, one under par, to join Neil Fenwick (67) and Busher (72) in a three-way play-off on the 18th.

On the first extra hole Busher found the trees to the left of the where the fairway dog legs, and played out to the middle from the garden of a Cameron House lodge having taken a penalty drop.

With Connor and Fenwick both making par at the first attempt, Busher picked up his ball to concede on the green. On the second play-off hole Fenwick went right off the tee and deep into the trees and was unable to locate his ball. 

Connor too had a ball search on his hands but quickly managed to find his and took a penalty drop.

Both played solid approaches and that meant Connor was on the green in three, with Fenwick there in four. Both two-putted, meaning Connor took the £10,000 winner’s cheque and a second EuroPro victory of the season to catapult himself to the top of the Race To Desert Springs standings.

Caldwell moved up to 38th with Rice 86th while the leading Irish player in the race for the Top 5 and a Challenge Tour spot is sixth ranked Alan Dunbar, who played in the Northern Ireland Open Challenge at Galgorm Castle this week and missed the cut.

Interior of jet. Instagram.com/RoryMcIlroy

Rory McIlroy's painfully executed series of Instagram posts on his recovery from the ankle injury that forced him to miss his defence of The Open and the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational reached its nadir (or zenith) today.

As Golf.com's Cameron Morfit astutely pointed out, McIlroy's is "the first big sports comeback I can recall that's been announced with emojis."

Posting a picture of the interior of a jet with a UK passport in the foreground, he Instagrammed: "