Ireland is famous for its traditions, particularly the overwhelming sense of connection and loyalty people still retain for their own community - be that a small village, a city, a county or even a province.

There have been many high points in this year’s professional golfing calendar, yet all were somewhat predictable. 

Munster’s lack of ambition to further develop the full potential of the Republic’s second most populated city doesn’t reflect well on the huge efforts that were made in the past, writes John McHenry.

Golf can be a very cruel game and never was that demonstrated more than during last week’s Ryder Cup at Hazeltine where Europe’s most decorated (active) Ryder Cup player Lee Westwood was humbled when missing an 18-inch putt on Saturday in front of a global audience.

If you were only interested in the final outcome of the Ryder Cup, then this one was pretty much decided as early as last Friday morning once Europe lost the opening series of foursomes to the USA 4-0.

Such is the enormity of the occasion that for a number of weeks now Darren Clarke would have been silently praying he would only have to play two rookies in the opening foursomes series of matches in the 41st Ryder Cup.

John McHenry dissects the pick of the Ryder Cup rookies.