LIMERICK’S Pat Murray is hoping to find a “spark” at Baltray today that might light up his challenge for the East of Ireland title.

BRITAIN and Ireland Walker Cup captain Nigel Edwards is far from pleased with a decision by the Golfing Union of Ireland not to nominate four players for the Links Trophy, which begins at St Andrews today.

Nigel Edwards has been appointed captain of the Great Britain and Ireland Walker Cup team to face the United States at Royal Aberdeen in 2011.

Defending South of Ireland Championship champion Niall Kearney suffered a shock defeat in the third round of the 2009 event today at Lahinch.

One of the leading lights of the Britain and Ireland Walker Cup side failed to shine on the opening day at Royal County Down in Northern Ireland.

Richard Kilpatrick eagled the last to clinch an impressive eight-shot victory in the East of Ireland Championship at Co Louth today.

Walker Cup skipper Colin Dalgleish has hailed Holywood star Rory McIlroy as a similar talent to Spanish wonderkid Sergio Garcia.

Irish close champion, Rory McIlroy (Holywood) is one of four new caps included in the Ireland team for the Home Internationals which will be played at Royal St. George's Golf Club, Sandwich,England on September 7-9.

Colin Montgomerie’s first European Tour course is doing exactly what he hoped it would – stretching the best.

Stephen Dodd paid a heavy price for one shot in his third round of the Volvo China Open in Shanghai today – but at the end of it the 38-year-old Welshman was still on course for his first European Tour victory.