Pádraig Harrington is confident he will be fit, fresh and ready to go for the British Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes in a fortnight after making the most of a much-needed week off following the Irish Open.

German Marcel Siem took over at the top at the Alstom French Open in Paris today and had his title hopes boosted by a dramatic collapse from world number three Lee Westwood.

One shocking hole put Open champion Darren Clarke in danger of another missed cut in the Alstom French Open at Le Golf National near Paris today.

Next year’s European Tour will again include just one event Ireland, two in England, one in Wales and three in Scotland.

Next year’s European Tour has been confirmed with the Irish Open switching from late July to the end of June, but with a venue yet to be announced.

Four months after a European Tour record-equalling 60 England’s Kenneth Ferrie had a rather different experience in Paris today – a 17-over-par 88.

James Morrison dropped three shots in the last two holes to only share the lead with fellow Englishman Mark Foster with a round to go at the Alstom French Open in Paris.

Two early birdies today gave Martin Kaymer hope that he could still win a second Alstom French Open title in three years this weekend.

BUBBA WATSON made an early exit from the Alstom French Open in Paris yesterday, but not before lashing out at the lack of crowd control.

England’s James Morrison leads the Alstom French Open, two days after he nearly pulled out of it through illness.

Bubba Watson made an early exit from the Alstom French Open in Paris today, but not before lashing out at the lack of crowd control.

Miguel Angel Jimenez’s defence of the Alstom French Open title was in severe danger of ending at the halfway stage after a horror start to his second round at Le Golf National near Paris today.

DAMIEN McGRANE was among four golfers disqualified from the Alstom French Open in Paris yesterday.

Graeme Storm returned to the scene of his one European Tour victory today and shared the early first-round lead.

Ireland's Damien McGrane was off to a solid start today in the Alstom French Open at Le Golf National near Paris, sitting in a group behind leader David Lynn.

MIGUEL ANGEL JIMENEZ became the oldest-ever winner of continental Europe’s oldest golf title in Paris yesterday – but he did it the hard way after making a real mess of the final hole.

Miguel Angel Jimenez became the oldest-ever winner of continental Europe’s oldest golf title in Paris today – but he did it the hard way after making a real mess of the final hole.

Italian Francesco Molinari made a spectacular start to his last nine holes to lead the Alstom French Open at Le Golf National near Paris today.

Spaniard Alejandro Canizares went into the water twice on the last three holes tonight to toss away a three-stroke lead at the Alstom French Open in Paris.

Miguel Angel Jimenez made hay once the rain stopped at the Alstom French Open in Paris today, starting the delayed third round with a hat-trick of birdies.

If there are two uncapped players Colin Montgomerie wants in his Ryder Cup team, Rory McIlroy and Martin Kaymer are certainly top of the list.

There was double Dutch delight for Robert-Jan Derksen in Paris today as he maintained his bid for a first European Tour title in over five years.

Lee Westwood and Shane Lowry suffered big blows today to their hopes of being contenders for the Alstom French Open title in Paris this weekend.

Former European number one Robert Karlsson pulled out of the Alstom French Open with a wrist injury this morning and will not play again until The Open at St Andrews in two weeks.

Jean Van de Velde, playing just his second European Tour event of the year, shared the early lead after an opening five under par 66 in the Alstom French Open at Le Golf National near Paris today.

It was the turn of Welshman Rhys Davies to be put under the microscope by Colin Montgomerie today – but it was the Ryder Cup captain who made the better start to the Alstom French Open at Le Golf National near Paris.

Next season’s European Tour – starting in South Africa on Thursday – will feature a minimum of 47 tournaments, including six new ones, and will once again culminate in the Dubai World Championship.