Jack Hume sets out at Royal Portrush today in the 119th Amateur Championship determined to continue his summer of consistency and book his place in the St Andrews Trophy team to take on the Continent of Europe later in the year.

With the disappointing late withdrawal of the Slieve Russell twins Leona and Lisa Maguire, the focus of attention turned to the other Irish competitors in the smaller-than-usual field in the British Ladies Open stroke-play championship at Shandon Park, Belfast yesterday.

ROLLO McCLURE remembers the first time he saw Rory McIlroy swing a club.

IRELAND flattered to deceive in the weather-affected second round of the World Amateur Team Golf Championship for the Eisenhower Trophy in Buenos Aires last night.

Ireland got off to a disappointing start on the opening day of the World Amateur Team Championship (Eisenhower Trophy) at the Royal Adelaide and Grange Golf Clubs in Australia.

Ireland's amateur golfers today added the Home Internationals title along with a Triple Crown to their haul this year as they ran out comfortable winners against England on the final day by 10 matches to 5.

Rory McIlroy (Holywood), Gareth Shaw (Lurgan) and Simon Ward (Co Louth) will represent Ireland in the World Amateur Team Championship for the Eisenhower Trophy which will be played at the De Zalze Golf Club and Stellenbosch Golf Club, near Cape Town, South Africa on October 26 to 29.

Rory McIlroy dashed Simon Ward's dream of a second win in a week with an exciting sudden-death victory in the Owens Group Mullingar Scratch Cup.

COLM MORIARTY from Athlone, 26, was born to be a golf professional.

PADRAIG HARRINGTON takes a week off before partnering Paul McGinley in next week’s $4m World Cup in Seville, Darren Clarke sets out for South Africa via Japan for a money-spinning end to his season — and 168 hopefuls make their way to San Roque in Spain for the European Tour’s final qualifying school, simply hoping to be able to rub shoulders with the stars in 2005 (the top 35 and ties will do so).

Reigning Irish champion Brian McElhinney (North West) will lead the three-man team to

IT has been common knowledge for several weeks that Colm Moriarty and Noel Fox were virtual certainties for inclusion on the British & Irish Walker Cup side to face the Americans at Ganton on September 6-7.

CHARL SCHWARTZEL, a South African youngster who will celebrate his 19th birthday on August 31 (the same day Padraig Harrington turns 32), lit up The K Club yesterday when he shot a remarkable eight under par 64 to get within one stroke of joint leaders Phillip Price and Darren Clarke at the halfway stage of the Smurfit European Open.

By Charlie Mulqueen MONKSTOWN’S Ada O’Sullivan is preparing for the biggest challenge of her golfing career.

IRELAND’S hopes of winning their first Amateur Home International title for 11 years were scuppered in the sunshine at Royal St David’s Harlech yesterday when Wales overcame them 8.1/2 to 6.1/2 in a contest even closer than the scoreline suggests.

ALTHOUGH there has been a serious drain to the professional ranks, especially where outstanding players like Graeme McDowell, Michael Hoey and Stephen Browne are concerned, Irish captain Eddie Dunne is positive where his team’s prospects in this week’s home international at Royal St David’s, Harlech, are concerned.

THE build-up to the selection of the first ever Irish side to compete in the World Team Championship for the Eisenhower Trophy in Malaysia next October continues.