Padraig Harrington, famous for the number of second places he has had in his career, will happily settle for another this week.

PÁDRAIG HARRINGTON’S decision to sack long-time caddy Dave McNeilly last May and replace him with family friend Ronan Flood was one of the most controversial stories in Irish sport throughout the summer.

IT’S funny you know. You turn up at a major championship venue on the Monday, have a look at the course, play maybe nine or 18 holes, and come off shaking your head in bewilderment.

Skip Kendall tonight revealed his path from restaurant waiter to major leader after taking a surprise halfway lead in the British Open championship.

AND so we come to the third major of the year and, by and large, the one I like most.

It is becoming increasingly difficult not to notice Darren Clarke - but the worry for the Irishman is that no-one will remember him.

From play-off to way off; it was all a bit of a comedown for Padraig Harrington at the United States Open this week.

Darren Clarke cut a despondent figure as he slipped out of Shinnecock Hills yesterday after shooting a second round of 74 for a seven over par total in the second round of the 104th US Open.

Padraig Harrington took something his wife Caroline told him back onto the course today to try to re-ignite his challenge for a first major title.

YOU all know the one about patience seldom in a woman, never in a man. Well, females aren't allowed to play in the US Open so the males had the field to themselves yesterday to disprove that old adage.

David Duval found himself in last place on his return to golf at the United States Open today – and that after starting his first competitive round since November with a birdie.

ONE is currently seventh in the rankings, the other 14th, but right now there seems to be a whole world separating Ireland's two challengers in the US Open Championship starting at Shinnecock Hills this morning.

DARREN CLARKE wasn’t back to his old moody ways at Shinnecock Hills yesterday but he wasn’t far off it.

Padraig Harrington has predicted mayhem at this week’s US Open – if the wind changes.

Padraig Harrington is seventh in the world rankings after his play-off disappointment at the Buick Classic in America last night.

PADRAIG Harrington jointly led a field that included two of the game’s top three players and a host of other celebrated golfers in the Buick Classic at Westchester on Sunday - and still claimed that he had played poorly throughout the tournament!

Padraig Harrington is seventh in the world rankings after his play-off disappointment at the Buick Classic in America last night.

Padraig Harrington now has a 23rd runners-up finish to his name after losing a play-off for the Buick Classic in America last night.

Loren Roberts may have failed to qualify for the US Open, but he is the improbable leader after 54 holes of the Buick Classic.

Fred Couples’ treatment by an acupuncturist paid off as he claimed the lead after 36 holes at the Buick Classic in Harrison, New York.

PÁDRAIG HARRINGTON will start today's third round at the Buick Classic in New York, well in contention but deeply concerned about how to deal with a "broken down" swing so close to next week's US Open.

PÁDRAIG HARRINGTON put in a strong finish to his opening round at the Buick Classic to leave him in touch with the leaders going into today's second round at the Westchester Country Club in New York.

PÁDRAIG HARRINGTON and Darren Clarke will tee off in the Buick Classic here today attempting to walk a delicate line just seven days before the US Open.

US Ryder Cup team captain Hal Sutton says he wants to face the strongest European team possible at Oakland Hills this September.

TIGER WOODS, Phil Mickelson and all the other long but wayward hitting golfers have been warned.

PADRAIG HARRINGTON is not one to court controversy but lately it seems to follow him around.

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.

Tiger Woods showed signs of returning to form with a two-under-par 69 that left him four strokes behind leader Briny Baird midway through the rain-plagued Buick Classic in New York.

IAN POULTER, first and second on his last two starts, was among those who suffered worst on the toughest day of the European tour season so far.

Chris Smith ended his PGA Tour drought at the Westchester Country Club, winning his first career title at the Buick Classic.

Seeking his first win in 148 PGA Tour starts, Chris Smith played 30 holes in five under par and has a one-stroke lead after three rounds of the Buick Classic.

Ernie Els has been forced to withdraw from the Buick Open because of a back injury.