Padraig Harrington has an extra reason for wanting his first-ever win at Wentworth this week – he is in danger of losing his position as European number one.

Colin Montgomerie, who has lost only three of his last 22 Ryder Cup games going back 10 years, this afternoon suffered his third defeat in three matches at this week’s Seve Trophy in Ireland.

Paul Casey, one of the favourites for the title, tonight pulled out of this week’s Quinn Direct British Masters at The Belfry.

New US Open champion Angel Cabrera and four of Europe's Ryder Cup heroes last year found themselves being overshadowed when the spotlight fell back on the K Club near Dublin today.

Lee Westwood and Padraig Harrington clash in the first round of the Accenture world match play championship in Tucson on Wednesday – as do their Ryder Cup team-mates Darren Clarke and Sergio Garcia.

Defending champion David Howell is relishing the opportunity to defend his HSBC Champions title when the inaugural tournament gets under way in Shanghai on Thursday.

The odds on Paul Casey winning the European Order of Merit have shortened even further with David Howell rating his chances of teeing off in the Volvo Masters at Valderrama tomorrow as only “50-50 at best“.

If Paul Casey clinches the European tour Order of Merit in Spain this weekend it will be a quite stunning achievement – and not just because of the calibre of player he is up against.

Ryder Cup star Paul Casey and European Tour rookie Alejandro Canizares are captain Colin Montgomerie’s latest selections for next month’s inaugural Goodwill Trophy in China.

He could not quite make it four eagles out of four on the 18th and because of two rain delays it took him 7 1/2 hours to get there, but Tiger Woods had no trouble achieving what he came to do at The Grove near Watford today.

There was even more good news for Ryder Cup captain Ian Woosnam today when Padraig Harrington spectacularly stormed into a four-shot lead in the Madrid Masters.

Tiger Woods’ three-week stay in Europe, with its centrepiece the Ryder Cup at the K Club near Dublin, will boost the golf economy by an estimated €250m, according to a new report.

A truly dazzling closing 63 gave Tiger Woods an amazing fifth successive victory today.

Sergio Garcia has qualified for the HSBC world match play championship at Wentworth in three weeks – but Luke Donald and Colin Montgomerie need there to be more withdrawals if they are to play.

Welshman Bradley Dredge continued to lead the Smurfit Kappa European Open in wet and windy Dublin today – but he was not going to achieve a feat last achieved on the European tour 14 years ago.

Michael Campbell’s victory in the US Open has won him the European Tour’s Golfer of the Year award.

The biggest victory of Paul McGinley’s golf career was followed today by a trip to hospital – and it could result in the Dubliner being out of action for two months.

DARREN CLARKE returns after a month away from the competitive arena for this week’s €4 million Dunhill Links Championship, starting over the great links of St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns on Thursday.

Captain Colin Montgomerie and Graeme McDowell were the only home winners as holders Britain and Ireland made an awful start to the Seve Trophy at The Wynyard near Middlesbrough today.

Colin Montgomerie and Jose Maria Olazabal lock horns again this week – 21 years after they clashed in the final of the British Amateur Championship.

MICHAEL CAMPBELL is the champion and another HSBC World Match Play has ended.

After two crushing victories, Retief Goosen suddenly found life a lot tougher in the HSBC World Match Play semi-finals at Wentworth today.

After two crushing victories, Retief Goosen suddenly found life a lot tougher in the HSBC World Match Play semi-finals at Wentworth today.

Paul McGinley, two wins away from a £1m (€1.47m) bonanza, made the start he was looking for in the HSBC World Match Play semi-finals at Wentworth today.

Retief Goosen equalled his own championship record when he demolished Australian Mark Hensby 12 and 11 to reach his first HSBC World Match Play semi-final at Wentworth today.

Phil Casey

David Howell is looking forward to the best years of his career after ending a six-year wait for his second European Tour victory in Munich.

RYDER CUP star David Howell yesterday claimed a long overdue second European Tour title in the BMW International Open.

England’s David Howell today claimed a long overdue second European Tour title in the BMW International Open.

Luke Donald looks set to pull out of Britain and Ireland’s defence of the Seve Trophy next month.

WITH former Formula One boss Eddie Jordan acting as his caddy, Paul McGinley made an appropriately fast start with four birdies in his first five holes in the BMW International Open in Munich.

Ryder Cup qualification has not even started yet, but Ian Poulter already has his sights set on sealing his place by the end of the year.

David Howell and Stephen Dodd, involved in a play-off for the Irish Open three months ago, went in completely opposite directions in the second round of the €5.9m NEC world championship in Akron today.

Thomas Bjorn never had any doubt that he was doing the right thing in turning down a place on the US tour this year.

Ernie Els will skip the $7.5m (€5.8m) Accenture Match Play for the second year in succession as he dedicates himself to Major glory.

Sergio Garcia could be just three rounds away from once again becoming the top European in the world rankings.

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

Colin Montgomerie may have been the match-winning hero of Europe’s Ryder Cup team last month but he was unable to qualify for the two big events which followed.

EIGHTY euro may not seem like a lot of money these days.

Ernie Els took a three shot lead against Padraig Harrington at the HSBC World Match Play at Wentworth today.

As if taking on world number two and defending champion Ernie Els was not enough, Padraig Harrington was having to contend with a bruised and battered thumb at Wentworth today.

Padraig Harrington and Ernie Els are level after six holes of their HSBC World Match Play semi-final at Wentworth today.

Retief Goosen equalled the HSBC World Match Play championship record held by Mark O'Meara at Wentworth today.

Ernie Els had his lead cut to two by Thomas Bjorn in the American Express world championship at Mount Juliet in Co Kilkenny today.