A week spent playing golf with two former Northern Ireland soccer players along with the acquisition of a very expensive putter has put Michael Hoey in contention at the BMW International Open in Munich.

The distance between the Munchen Golf Club and Mount Juliet may be around 1,400 kilometres but Kevin Phelan felt right at home on the opening day of the BMW International Open.

Shane Lowry’s new European Tour stature has been quickly rewarded with tee times alongside Tour superstars Martin Kaymer and Henrik Stenson for the opening two rounds of the BMW International Open in Munich.

Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry left Chambers Bay tied for ninth at the US Open and sharing optimism for the summer’s golf ahead.

Shane Lowry left Chambers Bay on Sunday night with a US Open top-10 finish and the confidence he has the game and temperament to contend at the highest level.

Shane Lowry has boosted hopes of a fourth Irish success in eight years by qualifying for next fortnight’s British Open at Royal Liverpool.

Fabrizio Zanotti triumphed in the first four-man play-off in BMW International Open history to win his first European Tour title in the most dramatic fashion today.

Paul McGinley acknowledged the so-called Ryder Cup captain’s curse in missing the halfway cut for a third event in succession at the BMW International Open in Cologne.

Tiger Woods’ return to action after back surgery did not go exactly to plan as the world number five could manage only a three over par 74 in the opening round of the Quicken Loans National at Bethesda.

Michael Hoey is keeping his fingers crossed that he’ll be paired with Martin Kaymer at this week’s BMW International Open in Cologne.

The European Tour has announced a comprehensive review into the Final Series after Ernie Els strongly criticised the demands on players.

Rory McIlroy will compete at next year’s rescheduled Irish Open at Carton House.

The Irish Open will be played just a week after next year’s US Open at Pinehurst with US-based Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell already guaranteed as the star attractions.

Ernie Els believes he can add more major titles to his collection - before retiring to sell hotdogs on a beach in South Africa.

Rory McIlroy will head into the Open Championship at Muirfield on the back of a missed cut at the Irish Open – and was joined in making an early exit by fellow major winners Graeme McDowell, Padraig Harrington and Darren Clarke.

Shane Lowry is prepared to take one for the team this week as he gears up for what is potentially the biggest summer of his career.

Carton House’s Shane Lowry warmed-up for this week’s Irish Open with a blistering final round 65 in the BMW International Open in Munich.

Ernie Els claimed a wire-to-wire victory in the BMW International Open in Munich by one shot from Thomas Bjorn as he continued his preparations to defend his Open title next month.

Ernie Els busted out of last week’s Merion ‘torture chamber’ and singled out Irish-born caddy Colin Byrne for helping produce his lowest score in seven months on the opening day of the 25th anniversary BMW International Open in Munich .

Shane Lowry heads the Irish charge at this week’s BMW International Open in Munich on the Munchen Eichenried course.

It is a telephone call that has been described as “evil” and it could be Pádraig Harrington on the receiving end later this week.

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.

Forza Gagli

Paul McGinley heads into today’s British Open 36-hole qualifier buoyed after storming his way to a share of third place at the BMW International Open near Cologne.

Paul McGinley has finished third at the BMW International Open in Germany.

Damien McGrane confessed he felt bound to advise Jose Manuel Lara he had caught his caddy trying to hide an illegal 15th club in bushes during Thursday’s first round of the BMW International Open.

Paul McGinley kept alive his hopes of ending a seven-year drought at the BMW International Open in windy Cologne today.

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.

Australian Marcus Fraser led the way on a day of low scoring when the BMW International Open began in Cologne.

Scotland's Stephen Gallacher and South African Richard Sterne were setting a furious pace at the start of the BMW International Open in Cologne today.

Michael Hoey is confident he’s finally shaken flu symptoms brought on by overdoing the celebration at the recent Heineken Cup final.

Paul Casey has been forced to withdraw from the US Open through injury, with 14-year-old Andy Zhang taking his place in San Francisco.

Pádraig Harrington admits an Irish Open success at Royal Portrush this year would be ‘very special’.

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.

Sergio Garcia is finally back as a winner in golf – but he needs to do it again this Sunday if he is to play in next week’s world championship in China.

The longest barren spell of Sergio Garcia’s career looks certain to end in front of his home fans in Castellon tomorrow.

THE European Tour is about to begin talks with a new sponsor that could see the Irish Open move from its August Bank Holiday slot to the end of June.

Thomas Bjorn has won a five-man, five-hole play-off in the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles.

ENGLAND’S Simon Dyson will play in next week’s British Open after American David Toms yesterday became the fourth player to withdraw this week.

England’s Simon Dyson will play in next week’s Open Championship after American David Toms today became the fourth player to withdraw this week.

RORY McILROY’S history-making US Open triumph received further recognition yesterday when he was named The 2011 Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Month for June.

Irish golfer Rory McIlroy has climbed to third in the golf world rankings after his runaway victory at the US Open last week.