England’s Simon Khan and Spaniard Jose Manuel Lara were tied for the lead after four holes of the final round in the Smurfit Kappa European Open at the K Club today.

The return of England’s Paul Casey as a world-class golfer continued at the K Club today.

Thomas Bjorn defied gusts of up to 30mph today to open up a four-stroke lead in the Smurfit European Open – and show Ryder Cup captain Ian Woosnam how well he plays on the course where Europe defend the trophy next year.

Thomas Bjorn defied gusts of up to 30mph today to build a clear lead in the Smurfit European Open and show Ryder Cup captain Ian Woosnam how well he plays on the course where Europe defend the trophy next year.

Thomas Bjorn’s return to the Smurfit European Open at the K Club – the event which turned into a nightmare last year – has gone like a dream so far.

Welshman Jamie Donaldson, kept off the European tour for six months last year by serious back trouble, returned from another injury lay-off to grab a share of the halfway lead in the Smurfit European Open at the K Club near Dublin today.

Thomas Bjorn’s return to the Smurfit European Open at the K Club – the event he walked out of after just six holes last year – has gone like a dream so far.

After the high of grabbing another victory in America on Sunday Padraig Harrington sank to his worst round in Europe for seven years today.

Encouraged by his wife Heather to return to golf this week, Darren Clarke overcame a sore left knee to begin the Smurfit European Open with a fine three-under-par 69 today.

Retief Goosen looked every inch the defending champion when he started the Smurfit European Open with a five-under-par 67 at the K Club near Dublin today.

Retief Goosen looked every inch the defending champion when he started the Smurfit European Open at the K Club in Co Kildare today.

American Ryder Cup captain Tom Lehman believes less fear and more fun is the way for his side to win back the trophy next year.

Miguel Angel Jimenez and Sergio Garcia promise to serve up something special for the weekend after proving a cut above the rest on day two of the Omega European Masters.

Paul Broadhurst stood on the first tee of the K Club’s Smurfit Course today, wind blowing in his face, rain threatening and aware he was about to do battle with “a bit of a beast“.

Colin Montgomerie may not be the only golfer in his family any more. But he still aims to be the best one.

Michael Campbell will try to put a nightmare season in America behind him when defends his title in the Smurfit European Open at The K Club tomorrow.

Ian Woosnam, joint runner-up in the Smurfit European Open last year, showed his liking for the K Club near Dublin again today.

Latest leading positions in the third round of the Smurfit European Open at the K Club, Co Kildare.

Sweden’s Pierre Fulke and Welshman Philip Price have withdrawn from the European Open at the K-Club.

New Zealander Michael Campbell forgot his US Open nightmare to take a share of the lead in the European Open.

Greg Norman believes he could be just two weeks away from becoming the oldest Open champion in history.

Darren Clarke, the 32-year-old from Dungannon, won the £2.6m Smurfit European Open Championship at the K-Club to close a 19-year gap since John O'Leary won the Irish Open at Portmarnock.

Darren Clarke won the Smurfit European Open in front of 28,000 Irish fans today.

Thomas Bjorn won the £100,000 diamond for being 14 under par on the long holes throughout the tournament.

After 66 holes, Darren Clarke is three shots clear at the top of the leaderboard.

Darren Clarke, with five birdies and one bogey on his outward run, has opened a two-stroke lead at the top of the European Open leaderboard.

Darren Clarke, with five birdies and one bogey on his outward run, has opened a two-strokes lead at the top of the European Open leaderboard.

Darren Clarke has leaped into a share of the lead at 12 under par at the European Open after a hat-trick of birdies from the fourth hole.

Darren Clarke has leaped into a share of the lead after a three-birdie run from the fourth hole.

Darren Clarke has started his final round with a par on the first hole.

The overnight leaders of the European Open at the K-Club have just teed off in Kildare.

Latest finishing scores:

European Open leader Mikael Lundberg had an early call this morning when a fire alarm in his hotel went off at 6.30am.

Just four strokes cover the leading nine players in the £2.6m Smurfit European Open at the K Club as the final 91 competitors play the last round in wet conditions.

A real gem of a shot - in every sense - has given Padraig Harrington the chance of a day he will never forget tomorrow. And one his wife won’t either.

Padraig Harrington turned a storming finish of birdie-eagle to his third round to finish at 10 under par and is just two strokes off the overnight lead going into the last day's play at the European Open at the K-Club.

Jarmo Sandelin - after a seven birdie 65 - is in the clubhouse at 11 under par in a three-way tie at the top of the leaderboard.

Henrik Bjornstad - after 47 holes - and Mikael Lundberg - after 46 - share the lead at 11 under par at the European Open at the K-Club.

Henrik Bjornstad has moved to the top of the leaderboard at 12 under par after three birdies in his first eight holes.

Welshman Ian Woosnam has joined Mickael Lundberg at the top of the leaderboard after a birdie at the second hole to go to 10 under par.

Latest Open leaderboard

Fastest mover in the Smurfit European Open today has been Thomas Bjorn from Denmark who returned a seven under par 65.

Colin Montgomerie has had two birdies in his first three holes today to move to six under par for the tournament.

Damian McGrane has finished his round at the Smurfit European Open on 72.