Michael Hoey is now three shots off the lead on four under after four shots of his second round at the Irish Open in Cartion House.

Ricardo Santos, who last year became Portugal’s first European Tour winner for 20 years, made a flying start to the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters in Doha today.

As recession bites, enticing golf’s big names is a luxury Spain can no longer afford, says David Henry

England's Luke Donald is on course to retain his BMW PGA Championship title – and to return to world number one – after a nightmare day for overnight leader James Morrison in front of family and friends at Wentworth.

Ricardo Santos shot a spectacular closing 63 yesterday to give Portugal their first European Tour win for 20 years.

Rory McIlroy again crashed out of the Players Championship, golf’s richest event, at Sawgrass last night.

It was agony and ecstasy for two of England’s stars at golf’s richest event today.

Colm Moriarty is determined to again remind Irish Open organisers of his credentials during this week’s Madeira Islands Open.

The USPGA Tour like to call it the ‘Fifth Major’ and with a prize fund of $9.5m (€7.3m) and the presence of nine of the top 10 in the world rankings, the 39th Tournament Players Championship at Sawgrass looks like living up to expectations.

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.

NEGOTIATIONS about the future of the 2012 Irish Open are ongoing with a June 28 to July 1 date favourite to get the green light according to sources close to the European Tour.

MICHAEL HOEY returns to action at the Czech Open tomorrow determined to break into the European Tour’s Top 60, but realistic enough to know a bad bounce is all it takes to derail the best laid plans.

A “FUMING” Ian Poulter is by no means a certain starter at Wentworth next year after another painful experience in the European Tour’s flagship event.

Irish golfer Michael Hoey is celebrating today after claiming his second European Tour title with a two-stroke victory at the Madeira Islands Open.

MICHAEL HOEY claimed his second European Tour title yesterday with a two-stroke victory at the Madeira Islands Open.

Northern Ireland’s Michael Hoey shot a five-under-par 67 to move himself into a share of the lead after the third round of the Madeira Islands Open.

Irishman Simon Thornton extended his lead to two shots after five holes of his third round at the Madeira Islands Open.

IRELAND’S Simon Thornton shot a six-under par round of 66 to lead at the Madeira Islands Open at Porto Santo Golfe.

Frenchman Francois Delamontagne and Lloyd Saltman of Scotland set the clubhouse target for the rest of the field at the Madeira Islands Open today.

Australia’s Marcus Fraser carded a second-round 70 to maintain a one-shot lead at the weather-affected Ballantine’s Championship on a bright but windy third day at Pinx Golf Club.

James Morrison held his nerve to complete a one-stroke victory ahead of fellow Englishman Oliver Fisher in the Madeira Islands Open today.

ENGLAND’S James Morrison holds a one-shot lead at the halfway point of the Madeira Islands Open.

England’s James Morrison holds a one-shot lead at the halfway point of the Madeira Islands Open.

Argentina set the pace on the opening day of the Omega Mission Hills World Cup as Rafa Echenique and Tano Goya combined to post an 11-under-par 61 in the first round fourballs.

Argentina's Tano Goya leads the Moravia Silesia Open by one from English pair John Bickerton and Steve Webster after a seven-under-par 65 on the European Tour's return to the Czech Republic after a 12-year gap.

IRELAND’S Gareth Maybin, three clear after his opening course-record 64, slipped to second place with a 70 at the BMW Italian Open in Turin.

Colin Montgomerie missed yet another halfway cut today as Argentina’s Daniel Vancsik moved into a one-stroke lead at the BMW Italian Open in Turin.

Even though neither of them played last week the gap between Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson at the top of the world rankings has come down to just 0.2 points - the closest it has ever been between them.

Damien McGrane heads a five-strong Irish contingent at the Madeira Islands Open, which tees off this morning.

Colin Montgomerie hopes he can carry last week’s good form into this week’s Omega Mission Hills World Cup as Scotland look to stage a successful defence of the trophy.

Portuguese teenager Pedro Figueiredo cruised to an impressive seven-shot victory in the AIB Irish Amateur Open at Royal Dublin today.

Lee Westwood may have been disappointed with only third place in the Andalucian Open, but it has still stretched his lead in the European Ryder Cup points race.

Scotland’s Alastair Forsyth came from five behind to beat South African Hennie Otto at the first hole of a play-off for the Madeira Islands Open today.

Scotland’s Alastair Forsyth has won the Madeira Islands Open in a play-off against South Africa's Hennie Otto.

Scotland’s Alastair Forsyth and Hennie Otto went into a play-off for the Madeira Islands Open today – after the South African lost a five-shot lead.

Scotland’s Alastair Forsyth came from five behind South African Hennie Otto to be only one adrift with an outward 33 on the final day of the Madeira Islands Open.

South African Hennie Otto finished with a five-stroke lead with one round to play in the Madeira Islands Open today.

South African Hennie Otto remained four strokes clear after the completion of the second round in the Madeira Islands Open at Santo da Serra today.

South African Hennie Otto burst clear of the field at the Madeira Islands Open on Friday after a two-and-a-half-hour delay caused by gusts of up to 35mph.

Birdies at the 14th and 16th holes lifted Welshman Bradley Dredge into a share of third place after strong winds delayed the Madeira Islands Open for two and a half hours today.

Strong winds halted play on the second day of the Madeira Islands Open at the mountain-top Santo da Serra course today.

Germany’s Sven Struver leads South African Hennie Otto by one after a six-under-par opening round of 66 in the Madeira Islands Open at Santo da Serra today.