A week that could herald the beginning of the demise of Portmarnock Golf Club as the natural home for some of the game’s most prestigious events got under way yesterday with the first of two qualifying rounds for the 124th Amateur Championship.

Italy’s Matteo Manassero is ready to face the consequences of a poor season as he tries to save his European Tour card in the Andalucia Valderrama Masters.

Shane Lowry believes Ireland can contend for Eisenhower Trophy glory providing they see playing at home as a bonus rather than a burden.

Kinsale’s John Murphy tees it up in the AIG Irish Amateur Close at the European Club today determined to head back to the US with another major title in his carry-on luggage.

Kinsale’s John Murphy will make his senior debut for Ireland in the European Amateur Team Championship in Germany next month.

Six PGA in Ireland professionals will compete at next week’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, hosted by the Rory Foundation at Portstewart.

Paul McBride’s hopes of Amateur Championship glory were dashed yesterday with defeat by two holes at the hands of Englishman Harry Ellis in their quarter-final on the Kent coast.

The great Australian professional Bruce Crampton might never have won a major, but with four runner-up finishes to his credit, he still knew a thing or two about the game and what makes a golfer tick.

Irish golfers have captured four major championships since 2011 but in that same timeframe, eight of our best and brightest have taken the plunge into the professional ranks.

A month after insisting it remained “some distance” from being able to stage the Open in the North for the first time since 1951, the R&A is set to announce Royal Portrush will host the championship in 2019.

Ryder Cup star Sergio Garcia insists a line has been drawn under his row with world number one Tiger Woods and both players have moved on.

Ireland suffered an inexplicable singles collapse at Silkeborg in Denmark yesterday to crash out of contention for the European Men’s Amateur Team Championship.

Alan Dunbar bounced back from a poor opening round to equal the course record at Carton House’s Montgomerie layout and leap into contention at the European Amateur Championship.

Rathmore’s Alan Dunbar leads a strong Irish contingent looking to score a home victory against a stacked international field at Carton House this week for the International European Amateur Championship.

Ireland’s hopes of regaining the R&A Trophy in the Boys Home International Championship at Co Louth were dealt an opening day blow when they suffered a 9½-5½ defeat to defending champions England.

Jeev Milkha Singh’s number one dream in golf is to represent India at the 2016 Olympics – just like his father did in athletics on three occasions.

It was wet, it was windy, but nothing was going to stop fans turning out in huge numbers today for the first Irish Open in the North since 1953.

Pádraig Harrington was under par but a little off the pace at the Travelers Championship as he returned to action last night following his US Open fourth-place finish.

Dublin teenager Gavin Moynihan bids to continue his amazing run of form at the British Amateur Championship at Royal Troon this morning.

PAUL CUTLER will aim this week to build on his early-season success and keep his name very much to the forefront of the minds of Great Britain and Ireland selectors as they prepare to put together the St Andrews Trophy side for later in the summer.

DOUBLE Open champion Pádraig Harrington believes Olympic gold would be the ‘rarest and most prized achievement’ for any golfer.

IRELAND begin their bid this morning to become the first country for almost four decades to win three European Amateur Team titles on the bounce.

Trevor Immelman was not just the leader but also the favourite going into the final round of the Masters at Augusta National today.

Liverpool is more likely to be known as a destination for boozy nights out and soccer trips, but its golf history is significant.

Liverpool is more likely to be known as a destination for boozy nights out and soccer trips, but its golf history is significant.

Mikko Ilonen hopes becoming the first Finn to win on the European Tour will do wonders for the sport in his homeland.

Michelle Wie looks like being the only woman with a chance to qualify for this year’s British Open Championship at Hoylake.

The Amateur Championship is being put back two weeks to June 19-24 this summer so that more college players in America can take part.

PAUL McGinley has been rewarded for a year that saw him win the Volvo Masters and rise from 68th in the world rankings to a career-high 18th by being named the O2 Irish Golf Writers’ Association ‘Professional Player of the Year’ for 2005.

A total of 27 countries are represented in the draw for the Amateur championship starting at St Andrews in Scotland on Monday week.

MICHAEL HOEY broke the course record with a flawless eight-under-par 63 in the first round of the European Tour School stage one qualifier at Carden Park, Cheshire, yesterday.

YOU'RE lucky to get 2 to 1 against Tiger Woods winning his ninth major at Muirfield this week.